Ruthless James stars in Cornwall

One-time European Tour player James Ruth (above left with south west secretary Glenn Ross) celebrated his first solo appearance for six months by winning the Cornish Festival in a field dominated by past and present Tour players after a final round of five-under-par 66 at Trevose.

He totalled nine-under-par 200 to win by one shot from former Ryder Cup man Paul Broadhurst who inched one clear of overnight leader Liam Bond (Marriott St Pierre) after carding 65 with an eagle and six birdies at Trevose.

Late starter Ruth, 29, representing his new club China Fleet where he will spend three years training as a PGA assistant, trailed Bond by a shot with Broadhurst three strokes back as the third day unfolded in brilliant sunshine and warm weather.

Bond took an early lead after a near-flawless two-under-par 67 at Newquay. He dropped a shot on the third but followed with birdies on the fifth, eighth and 16th.

It was left to a cluster of players enjoying the weather at Trevose, the easiest of the three courses, to attack his seven-under mark of 202. And Broadhurst, 48, who joins the Seniors’ Tour next year, took up the challenge in style.

“I knew I had to shoot a low one but I fell one shot short to a good champion,” said the six-time European Tour winner (below).

“I dropped a couple of shots near the end of the first two rounds. Taking seven at the 16th and then a bogey at the last proved to be costly at St Enodoc.

“But my team did well to finish second as well so we’ve had another enjoyable week. I love this part of the world and I’ll be back again next year before I join the European Seniors’ Tour.”

Ruth, the former St Mellion touring player who won the Marston’s West Region PGA Championship at Saunton last year, suffered two near-calamitous moments late in his round. He was four-under after four holes making two birdies and an eagle. He progressed to seven-under after his second eagle at the 13th and birdies at the ninth and 15th.

But then he missed a short par putt at 16 and failed to get up and down from the greenside bunker at the last after a careless eight-iron approach.

“I had no idea where I stood at that moment but I’m only too pleased that the errors didn’t matter,” said Ruth who was second last year.

“I hit the ball very well and my iron play was great. I was inside 10 feet many times although my putting wasn’t the best.

“This has set me up for the season, I intend to play regularly in the region and if I do well, will also play some Challenge Tour events.”

Tour regular Richard Bland (Stoneham) returned two-under 67 at St Enodoc and former Tour winner David Dixon (Enmore Park) signed for 67 at Trevose.

They shared fourth on 205 with Matthew Cort (Rothley Park), the first person to win the Powerade PGA Assistants title for three successive years, who made a strong bid. He was four-under after nine at Trevose but was unable to maintain the momentum.  

Consolation for Chris Gane (Lefthandedgolf.co.uk at Sundridge Golf Club) was that his team of Peter Price, Robert Price and Alec Forrester won the team section from Broadhurst’s trio of Craig Blackford (Redditch), Dave Mitchell (Kirby Muxloe) and 19-year-old scratch player Mike Dewsbury (Brocket Hall).

Another ex-Ryder Cup player Steve Richardson’s Lee-on-the-Solent team of John Hibberd, Martin Rudderham and Gary Otton came third on countback.