Osborn’s day down at Hayling

David Osborn (West Hill) made the most of some good fortune, shooting a sizzling six-under-par 65 to win the Hayling Pro-Am.

Taking the winner’s cheque for £800, Osborn edged recent winner Chris Gane into second place despite shooting five-under-par including three birdies on the front nine and a classy eagle two on the 10^th for his 66.

Osborn got off to a flyer, making a birdie two at the first hole and then holing a 40 foot putt on the next hole for an eagle. Despite dropping a shot on the fourth, he then proceeded to go par, birdie, eagle to reach five-under, only to drop another shot on the eighth after a poor drive.

His eagle involved a thinned third shot of 60 yards that finished up past the hole, only to roll back from the top of one of the large swales and in for the eagle.

Four-under-par at the turn, Osborn went on a birdie charge through the 10^th, 11^th and 12^th. Pars followed until the last hole where despite a huge hooked three-iron off the tee Osborn managed to make five to win by a shot.

Osborn was delighted as he felt a good score had been on the cards. “I’ve been playing well and putting so so,” he said, “but today my putting was really solid. I got the long putts dead, and holed several short ones. I missed a tiddler at the par five 14^th, but it was a slippery downhill putt which just failed to drop.

“I made a great four after an up and down from behind the green on the 17^th, but I have to say I thought the hooked three iron at the last hole was dead and buried, so making five was a good break.”

Osborn continued: “Hayling was immaculate, in the best shape I’ve ever seen it. I’ve played there many times, and what they’ve done to open it up, plus some new back tees, is terrific. It’s easily the best links course on the South coast now, and great to see now on the Regional PGA Schedule.

“The quick greens suited me as I holed some good putts on the way round. Obviously I was very pleased to play well - and get one or two breaks! – but I’ve felt for a while there was a good score on the way, and shooting this score has added to my confidence.”