Three and easy for Tom

Tom Phillips (Hadley Wood) got his season off to a flying start with victory at Essendon in the first of the region’s two Qualifying Schools.

Phillips, 27, fired back-to-back rounds of 70 to finish at four-under-par, three shots clear of Danny Poulter (Heacham Manor Hotel).

The Welshman said: “I’ve practised hard this winter and it’s nice to get off to a good start.

“On the first day, I putted really well and holed a few long ones. The second day, I didn’t feel I hit it that well but the mental side of my game was very good.

“I just kept the ball in play. I was trying not to make any stupid errors and, if I got any chances on the birdie-able holes, to take them. I’ll look forward to the rest of the season now.”

Phillips has made a fast start in a couple of past Order of Merit events without quite being able to sustain his challenge. But the signs for a successful 2017 season were in evidence over the 36 holes of the Old Course at Essendon.

Phillips made five birdies in his opening round and added another five on day two. Four of his birdies in the second round came at the par-5s, backing up his summary of how he took advantage of the course’s more obvious scoring opportunities.

Poulter, buoyed by an eagle at the par-4 seventh hole, held the halfway lead thanks to a 67. But he made a low-key start to this second round and ended up at one-under-par for the event.

Sam Willis (North Weald) and Chris Baron (West Essex) tied for third spot at level par.

The second (and final) Qualifying School will be staged on April 27-28 at Essex Golf and Country Club after which ‘card positions’ will be allocated to each player.