O’Hanlon stars in Welsh Festival

Snappy dresser Richard O’Hanlon (above) produced a tailor-made display to win his biggest cheque of an almost perfect season at the South Wales Festival.

The Cornwall-based Midlander (St Kew) shot a flawless four-under 68 at Machynys Peninsular to make up a four-shot deficit over David Dixon, the first round leader who shot a marvellous four-under-par 68 in the opening round at Ashburnham.

Dixon was out of sorts on the second day and his lead evaporated as he made double bogeys at the 10^th and par five 18th to drift back into a tie for seventh with Russ Berry (Professional Golf Europe) and Matt Dearden (Llantrisant and Pontyclun).

Tournament controller Tom Sheffield said: “The weather was brutal at Ashburnham and the 40mph wind was right into the face of the players on the back nine. David’s return was unbelievable.”

All players found it tough there and O’Hanlon battled to a respectable level par 72 with three bogeys and three birdies. Home club professional Martin Stimson was the only other player to break 70. He shot 69, helped by an eagle at the eighth, to stay three clear of third man James Maxwell (Teign Valley).

At Machynys, early starter O’Hanlon had the worst of the wet weather yet set the second day target of 140 with birdies at the fifth, 13th, 14th and 18th and an inward nine of 33.

“I had an eagle putt on the last and thought I needed to hole it to finish second because I had been so far behind,” he said.

Stimson was unable to repeat his previous day’s heroics and settled for level par 72 with five birdies and five dropped shots to finish one behind O’Hanlon who claimed his fourth win in the South West this year, worth £1,000.

His only regret this season was not qualifying for the end-of-season Play-Offs as he finished fourth in the Order of Merit.

Maxwell, who won the event three years ago while at Trefloyne, held on to third place with another steady round of 71, despite taking a double bogey six at the 332-yard fifth hole.

Michael Watson (Wessex Golf Centre) and Lee Thompson (Dudsbury) each carded 76s at Ashburnham with several double bogeys but recovered to make 68s in the second round. They shared fourth on 144 with defending champion Cennydd Mills (Pyle & Kenfig).

Mills opened with 79 after making three double bogeys in the first four holes but in an astonishing about-turn carded six birdies and an eagle three at the last for a brilliant seven under par 65 at Machynys.

Stimson’s Ashburnam team of Jason Rees, Elliott Anderson and Martin Timbrell won the team prize on 163 (80 83), two clear of Maxwell (76 85), playing with local team Beth McMann, Caroline Fletcher and Sue Shooter. Last year’s team winner Mills (74 86) took third on countback with P and K secretary Simon Hopkin, Jamie Jones and Brian Jones.