Rookie beats southern stars
13/09/2013
Rookie Robert Gowers held off a competitive field during the PGA Southern Professional Championship at Foxhills to win the first professional title of his burgeoning career.
The 22-year-old South Winchester pro shot 70, 68, 69 for a total of nine-under-par 207 to win his first professional title at the KRL supported event, and earn a winner’s cheque for £1,888.
Three strokes back on six-under-par was James Ablett (Lee-on-the-Solent), taking second spot for £1,300 after carding a total of 210. Paul Newman (East Berks) and James Harris (Nevill) shared third spot on two-under-par 214.
Runner up in the recent Nikon PGA South Assistants & Trainees Championship, Gowers’ form stayed in top gear as he opened with a 70 to be one behind first round leader Harris.
In the second round, Gowers proceeded to outplay his partners, the current Virgin Atlantic PGA South Order of Merit champion Richard Wallis (Walmer & Kingsdown) and former Tour player Benn Barham (Kings Hill), shooting a four-under-par 68 to lead the tournament by one stroke from Harris.
Gowers took inspiration when he realised his approach to playing Foxhills was much the same as his more experienced partners.
“I was nervous to begin with, but it was a great experience to play alongside Richard Wallis and Benn Barham,” he said, “and it was inspiring to find my game plan was on the same lines as theirs, which made me realise I was getting it right.”
Gowers made three birdies during a steady front nine to reach nine-under-par, while the deteriorating weather and tricky greens left the other contenders struggling to stay in touch.
“I just kept plodding round,” he said, “I was driving well, and my wedges were pretty good too. I was reading the greens well and making some good putts, and stayed focused.”
While Harris faded, Ablett started to get his act together on the last ten holes, shooting four birdies to finish with a six-under-par 69 and a score of 210 to be the clubhouse leader. But with a birdie on the 12th Gowers’ lead soon became unassailable, and despite a bogey at the final hole he finished three shots ahead of the field.
With his first PGA title and Order of Merit win under his belt, Gowers reflected on the future.
He explained: “Winning today in a field this strong is a massive boost to my confidence. Now I want to try and finish as high as I can, top ten if possible so that I can get into as many Regional events as I can next year.”
The next Virgin Atlantic PGA South Order of Merit event is the Tylney Park Classic on the 23rd and 24th of September and, with just two stroke play and one match play events left to play, the title race is still wide open.
