Watson’s a winner again at Celtic Manor
21/07/2014
The PGA in England and Wales (South West) player-of-the-season Michael Watson landed his fifth win in eight events at the Celtic Manor 2010 Ryder Cup Celebration pro-am.
The Wessex Golf Centre player returned a four-under-par 67 at one of the toughest venues experienced on the West circuit, making birdies at the third, fourth, 11th, sixth, tenth, 11th and 16th. His only blemishes were at the fifth and 17th.
Watson also finished in a tie for third in the Players Championship at Cumberwell Park the previous day, making two costly errors in his second round after holding the lead. But he maintained his top place in the Order of Merit.
He started his remarkable run 16 days earlier in the Dudsbury Masters and followed with successes at Lilley Brook, Carlyon Bay and Taunton and Pickeridge.
Ryder Cup winner Phillip Price and Kent-based Scot Craig Sutherland (Cherry Lodge), who won the Virgin Atlantic PGA National pro-am in Las Vegas in 2011, shared second one shot behind.
Price, who is hoping for more invitations to play in European Tour events this year, finished third on 68, one ahead of Dan Clark (Playgolf Bournemouth) and Adam Frayne (Yelverton).
Ryan Morgan (Peterstone Lakes) was helped by David Painter, Kris Cashin and Kevin Moore in winning the team award on 83 points. Barry Austin (Downes Crediton), Martin Jose, Tony Cockayne and Stuart Jose were two points behind.
They beat home pro Joe Ferguson’s trio, Will Hewitt, the course manager Jim McKenzie and club captain Lyn Warren, on countback.
