Staunton charges home

Kieran Staunton (Woodcote Park) shot a sizzling four-under-par 68 to win The London Golf Club Pro-Am.

Tied in second spot were Charles Wilson (Littlestone) and Jamie Harris (Nevill), who both carded 69s, while recent winner at Kingswood Paul Nessling (Cooden Beach) maintained his good form with a two-under-par 70 to take the next place.

Staunton’s round was a classic tale of two halves. Starting at the 13^th, he parred his first four holes and then dropped shots at the 17^th and 18^th. After his first nine holes, Staunton was still two-over-par.

Inspiration came at the fourth with a second shot finishing close enough for a straightforward birdie opportunity, and then a two-putt birdie at the par-five fifth got Staunton back to level-par. Two more birdies followed at the eighth and ninth to push Staunton well up the leaderboard.

With just three holes to go, Staunton kept his foot on the gas with birdies at the 10^th and then the 12^th to finish four-under-par at the head of the pack.

Delighted with his first win since the Knole Park Pro-Am back in early May, Staunton commented: “I’ve been playing steadily all year, but holing some putts can make a big difference between a middle order result and being in the frame.

“The course was in good condition, the rough was penal, and the greens were very firm and fast, and not easy to stay on.

“I hung on for the first nine holes, then a nice second shot to six foot with a sand wedge presented me with my first opportunity for a birdie at the fourth. A good drive at the next set me up to get on the green in two for a two-putt birdie and back to even par.

“I made two good up and downs at the next two holes to keep the score going, and then got on in two at the eighth for another two-putt birdie, and made a five footer at the ninth for another.

“I made a 30 foot putt at the 10^th after being in the rough which helped things around a bit more, and made a chip and a putt for a final birdie at my last hole for a strong finish to a good round.”