Third time lucky for Harrison

Jack Harrison made it third time lucky by firing a six-under-par 67 to win the Galvin Green PGA Assistants’ Championship at Coventry Golf Club.

The Wildwood assistant’s wire-to-wire victory saw him banish memories of past disappointments after being narrowly pipped at the post in his last two outings in this event.

The start of the day presented a serious case of déjà vu for the Surrey pro as he quickly put daylight between himself and joint overnight leader James Ruth (China Fleet).

But while in past years he had faded, this time he only went from strength to strength.

And while both David Griffiths and Neil O’Briain (Old Conna) rallied to mount a challenge around the turn, Harrison turned on the style on the back nine to hit four vital birdies and come in with a commanding four-shot victory.

In securing his three-round 16-under-par total Harrison saw his name etched onto an honours roll which includes the likes of Peter Alliss and Tony Jacklin.

As well as claiming a first prize of £5,000, he secured a place to play in the PGA Play-Offs and the PGA Australia Futures Championship. He will also head to Sweden for a four-day visit courtesy of title sponsors Galvin Green.

Harrison’s victory vindicated his decision to turn down an invite to play in the Challenge Tour’s Northern Ireland Open to compete at Coventry.

But he admitted the £32,500 championship had been among his key goals at the start of the year.

“My main goal for the year was to win this and I can’t tell you how good it feels to have done that,” he said.

“Obviously coming into today’s round I couldn’t help but think about last year, it was impossible for me not to.

“In a way I felt relieved that I was tied for the lead rather than having the lead because I didn’t have to be defensive, I could go out there and be aggressive.

“I just went out and treated it exactly the same as I did the past two days. I set five-under as a reasonable target.

“I was a little bit nervous teeing off but my birdie at the first really relaxed me, then I was off!”

From here Harrison is looking to push on with his playing career and challenge for a place at the top table.

“I’ve got a few retakes of exams to do in a couple of weeks but after that I’m going to European Tour school.

“Last year I set myself a target of being on the European Tour in three-years time and if I keep on improving as I am I don’t see why I shouldn’t be able to achieve that.”

Former European Tour player Griffiths, who finished tied second with O’Briain, is enjoying a new chapter in his career with an imminent move to West Herts and a child on the way but he revelled in a return to competitive action.

“It’s been fantastic, I knew I needed to get off to a quick start and I did, and really got it going through ten and 11 holes, hit some good shots coming in but failed to birdie the two par fives which made it tougher. It was always a little bit much to ask if the leaders played well but it’s been a good week and it got the juices flowing again to be in competitive action.”

Old Conna’s O’Briain, who finished fourth last year, is aiming to return to make it third time lucky next year.

“I battled all the way, played quite well just didn’t convert as much I needed to. I put myself into one spot of bother on 14 and hit a miraculous shot out of the trees and birdied 15 thinking he we go, maybe I can get up to 14 or 15 under but at the end of the day happy with how I played.

“I was fourth last year, tied second this year so next year logic dictates I should be up there so I’m delighted. A little disappointed to come so close and not come away with it but it’s a learning curve.

“I was actually tied with Jack last year going into the last six holes but made bogey, bogey on 14 and 15. I thought here we go again, so I said to myself ‘man up’ and hit a great shot out of the trees, made my par and stripped one into 15 which has been a bit of a nemesis for me. And the last few holes I gave myself some great chances but nothing dropped. That’s just the way it is but I really enjoyed it.”