Russell flies high at East Herts

Ray Russell (Centurion Club) was meant to be flying to Scotland – instead he was soaring to success at the Weston Homes East Herts Fourball Better Ball.

The former European Tour winner had to rearrange his travel plans after going deep in the latest Order of Merit tournament.

But his rescheduling ended up proving worthwhile as he claimed his first major success in the East, edging out a cluster of four players by a shot.

The Scot, who also won the Muswell Hill Pro-Am in May, finished on a three-under-par total of 139 after closing out with a 68.

Russell, 44, said: “I was meant to be on a flight to Edinburgh but there you go – it’s a nice way to miss a flight. If you’re going to miss it, that’s the way to do it, definitely.”

The Herts PGA-attached professional had to survive a nervous wait after dropping a shot at the last.

It had almost looked like a done deal when he made a superb up-and-down from a greenside bunker for a birdie at the penultimate hole.

But his final tee-shot came up a fraction short and he was left with an awkward stance from the sand at the par-3. It was all Russell could do to get out of the trap before two-putting for a closing bogey.

He said: “I didn’t think the tee-shot at 18 was that bad – I hit a 9-iron and tried to land it just over the trap. You’re not looking to get a lie like that. I would have fancied myself getting up and down from the bunker if it had been a normal lie.”

Russell’s chief threat appeared to be Stephen Harris (The Shire). He was three-under with two to play but was unable to capitalise at the par5 17th and then made bogey after rolling off the back of the final green.

Russell said: “Any win is fantastic.  The quality everywhere is strong now in golf, so you’ve got to play well to feature. It’s my first win in an Order of Merit event – this being my first year that I’ve really played – and it’s nice.”

Russell’s victory has lifted him up to seventh in the Order of Merit with the top-three set to land a place at the season-ending PGA Play-Offs at Saunton in October. Ian Campbell (Cheshunt) and James Webber (Three Rivers) remain in first and second place despite neither finishing in the top-20 at East Herts.

Rob Coles (Maylands G&CC) has moved into third spot after sharing sixth place behind Russell. James Ruebotham (Welwyn Garden City) also tied for sixth and that has seen him claim fourth position on the Order of Merit.

Two others who are bang in contention for a Play-Offs place are Glen Portelli (Verulam) and Adam Pike (Brampton Park) – the pair are currently fifth and sixth in the seasonal standings.

Pike, a first-year trainee, enjoyed a fine two days at East Herts, signing off with a 30-foot birdie putt on the last green to join Chris Cutchie (Colchester), David Salisbury (Three Rivers G&CC) and Harris on two-under.

Pike’s putt also meant that he and four-handicapper Paul Farrance clinched the team event at East Herts. The deadly duo closed out at 15-under – one clear of Coles and his playing partner.

The final Order of Merit tournament, the East Anglian Open@The Rayleigh Club takes place on September 21-22.