Portelli shines at Royal Cromer

Twenty-four year old Glen Portelli of Verulam Golf Club won the Weston Homes plc/Royal Cromer Classic to lift him into contention for a place in the PGA Play-Offs in Turkey in November.

His success came when current pacemakers in the PGA in England East order of merit table all slipped up without a top 10 finish.

This is the third year since Portelli has turned professional and it was his third order of merit victory.

“I started three shots behind but reduced the gap with successive birdies at the sixth and seventh holes,” said Portelli.

“I was creating plenty of opportunities but was not putting particularly well. I am looking forward to playing in the final two order of merit events this month.”

It is a busy autumn for Portelli. He is in the Hertfordshire team, together with James Ruebotham and James Jankowski, for the PGA England and Wales Inter-County Championship final at The Belfry on October 13 and 14.

He is also in the European Tour School first qualifier at Frilford Heath on October 6 to 9.

A birdie at the 119-yard 17^th put Portelli three under par for the tournament leaving his nearest rival, first round leader Chris Cutchie of Colchester, needing an eagle down the last if he was to force a play-off.

Cutchie played steady golf until the sixth hole when he dropped two shots after missing the green to the left and seeing his chip, not quite strong enough, roll down back down the steep slope.

A dropped shot at seven put him back to level par but birdies at the eighth and 11^th and a spectacular chip from 40 yards to save par after a wayward drive at the 15^th kept his hopes alive.

Ian Ellis of Yarmouth and Caister, in the final group one shot behind, created many birdie chances only to be frustrated on the greens.

He was not helped by a change of putter because the head of his favourite one had become loose. Ellis, who made the cut in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth in May, still has ground to make up if he is to reach this year’s PGA Play-Offs.

James Ruebotham of Welwyn Garden City was well in contention when four under par after 13 holes when he held a share of the overall lead. Then he dropped four shots in three holes. This included a double at the 394-yard 15^th which he had eagled the previous day.

There were only four rounds under par on the second day. Mark Stokes of Rayleigh Golf Range was one over after six but was three under par for his final 12 holes to take a share of third place.

Thomas Obergan of Berkhamsted was two under with the help of four birdies and an eagle while Chris Baron of West Essex was one under.