Tarver-Jones claims back-to-back victories

Peter Tarver-Jones claimed his second HotelPlanner.com PGA EuroPro Tour title in as many weeks with victory in the PDC & WSL Open at The Oxfordshire on Friday.

The Worthing golfer finished eight-under-par for his 54 holes with a final-round of two-under 70 to capitalise as overnight leader Richard Prophet’s slipped down the leaderboard before being disqualified.

Prophet began the day four shots clear on but bogeyed the first. He was quickly back to 10-under with a birdie at the second but back-to-back bogeys at six and seven narrowed his lead. He dropped shots again at nine and 11, although did have a birdie at 10 sandwiched between those.

Another birdie came at the 13th to see Prophet regain a one-stroke lead over playing partner Tarver-Jones, who at this stage was seven under par.

However, the par-three 14th, usually the fifth at The Oxfordshire, spelt disaster for Prophet. He twice found the water, once off the tee and once from the green – the latter proving costly as he was disqualified as a result – but only after handing his card in*.

His seven saw him drop out of contention – unaware of the error. Tarver-Jones was now one clear of Graeme Clark, who was in the clubhouse on six-under.

A birdie at the 16th gave last week’s winner at Prince’s a two-shot lead over Clark, who finished the tournament second after Tarver-Jones parred the final two.

The 26-year-old is the first golfer since Duncan Stewart in 2012 to win back-to-back HotelPlanner.com PGA EuroPro Tour events and in doing so moves to second on the Race To El Gouna, and with two events remaining is in a strong position to claim one of the Challenge Tour cards awarded to the top five at the end of the season.

“It is going to take a while to sink in,” he said. “I am on cloud nine. I have been so focused on the golf course today and now, suddenly, I can let it go and let it sink in.

“I have put a lot of work in and that has paid off. I was patient and I had said before the round that it was going to be tough; but it was brutal. The wind was up and the pins were hard, there were a few times where it could make a fool out of you if you aren’t careful.

“I had control of the ball both ways, was holding it up in the wind, and yes it was one of the best rounds I have had even though it was a two-under.

“I messaged William Harrold and asked if he had any advice after winning, because I know how well he did after winning his first event at the start of the season. He gave me some advice and I am sure he will be happy, so I will have to speak to him and thank him. I am sure he won’t mind that I have leapfrogged him into second on the Race To El Gouna!”

Highlights of the PDC & WSL Open will be broadcast on Sky Sports HD on Tuesday, September 8 with repeats the following day. The next HotelPlanner.com PGA EuroPro Tour event is at Mar Hall in Glasgow, commencing on Wednesday, September 3.

*Richard Prophet was disqualified at the end of the tournament. After going in the water for the second time on the 14th, he dropped his ball back onto the green. However, rule 20-5 states:

“When a player elects or is required to make his next stroke from where a previous stroke was made, he must proceed as follows:

(d) On the Putting Green: The ball to be played must be placed on the putting green.”

As Prophet dropped the ball, he must receive a two-stroke penalty. However, as his error did not come to light until after he had signed for his card, he signed for the wrong score and was therefore disqualified.