Portelli takes opening Order of Merit event

Glen Portelli drew first blood in the race for the PGA in England (East) Order of Merit after winning the Weston Homes plc/Bishop’s Stortford Classic.

The 23-year-old Verulam Golf Club assistant took victory at the first play-off hole sinking a five-foot birdie putt after stunning eight-iron approach shot.

It left Hertfordshire Golf & Country Club’s experienced Sean Whiffin, a former Order of Merit winner, to settle for second place.

Both players returned a score of five-under-par for their two rounds. It was Portelli’s second OOM success having won the Weston Homes plc/East Herts Classic last year.

He used to be a leading Hertfordshire amateur and has now built the platform to become a dominant force in regional events this year.

He said: “This is a good start but I am planning to play in all five remaining order of events this season. I want to win a place in the PGA play-offs in Turkey. Putting was the key to my victory today. I don’t think I have ever putted better in my life.”

As many of his rivals were dropping shots in the windy conditions, Portelli produced a strong finish to his second round as Whiffin faltered on the run-in.

Portelli drove the green at the 256-yard par four 14^th hole and then sunk a 20-foot putt for eagle that put him five-under. Portelli missed the green and went back to four-under after the 15^th and, at that stage, Whiffin was in control at seven-under.

Then everything changed. Whiffin had bogeys at the 15^th and 16^th holes while Portelli had a stroke of luck at the par three 17^th when his tee shot landed on the bank of a bunker to the left of the green and bounced to the right leaving him a 15-foot birdie putt which he sunk.

Portelli had a bunker save for par at the last and now the pressure was on Whiffin. He, too, was in another greenside bunker at the last. He left himself with an 18-foot putt which he sunk bravely to secure the play-off.

Whiffin (above), too, has thoughts of winning a place in Turkey after spending some of last season playing European Challenge Tour events. He has been a force in the East Region over the years but the highlight of his career was to finish tied in 48^th place in the Open Championship at Royal Troon in 2004.

There was more Hertfordshire joy for Joshua Johnson, a Bishop’s Stortford assistant, who shared third place with the consistent Jason Levermore (Channels) two shots off the pace.

There were only six rounds under par on the second day. One of those was a round of 68 from Ian Ellis (Great Yarmouth and Caister) to lift him to a share of fifth place with Stuart Brown (Orton Meadows) who started the day one shot off the pace.

James Taverner of Hendon had two level par rounds to finish seventh. There were eight players on one-over-par 143 including overnight pace makers Crue Elliott (Sandy Lodge) and Andrew Pestell (Chelmsford).

The only other under par round on the second day was 69 from Matt King (Rayleigh Golf Range) but his first day 76 had ruled him out of contention.