Ruth heads back to final after three way tie

James Ruth will be looking to improve on last year’s top four final spot after finishing joint top of the leaderboard at the Galvin Green PGA Assistants’ Championship West qualifier.

Ruth, of Plymouth’s China Fleet Golf & Country Club, carded a three-under-par round of 66 to be part of a three-way tie with Tom Hanson (Tiverton Golf Club) and Welshman Toby Hunt  (St Mellons Golf Club).

They join 14 other qualifiers from the event held at Exeter Golf & Country Club who will play in the £32,000 grand final to be held at Little Aston Golf Club near Birmingham from August 3-5.

Ruth, who is also playing in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth next week, finished fourth in last year’s final at Coventry Golf Club.

“I played well but just fell short and didn’t have quite enough in the final round,” said the 31-year-old.

“It’ll be good to go back there and try to improve on that this time. 

“I feel I’ve been playing well this year and most of my early golf has been with Wentworth in mind after I qualified from last year’s PGA Play-Offs in Turkey.

“But I’m looking forward to playing Little Aston, it’s not a venue I know but I hadn't played Coventry last year either.”

Former European Tour player Ruth is a second year PGA assistant and feels it has been a move that has suited him.

“I was five years on tour and it got to a stage where I wasn’t really enjoying it any more,” he said.

“There was a lot of travelling, it’s expensive and very competitive. I was away from home a lot.

“So I went down the PGA route because of the coaching aspect - but it’s actually improved my golf.

“I find that I’m arriving at tournaments with more confidence and that’s a big part of anyone’s game.

“And I’ve had a good year as a result in between PGA exams so I’m enjoying it.”

Ruth, Hanson and Hunt finished three shots clear of their nearest rivals for the top spot, Tom Jessamine (Woodbury Park Hotel & Golf Club) and Oliver Baker  (Ridgeway Golf Club).