Whitby-Smith starts off strong at PGA National Cyprus

19/04/2023

Daniel Whitby-Smith holds an early advantage in the 2023 PGA Play-Offs after shooting a round of 67 (four-under-par) to lead the event held at Aphrodite Hills Resort (PGA National Cyprus).

The 28-year-old, who is the head professional at Drayton Park Golf Club, hit the ground running in Cyprus after securing an impressive four birdies in his first six holes.

Whitby-Smith and the rest of the field hit windy conditions through the turn, but he managed to keep things under control finishing four-under-par, one shot ahead of Liam Grehan (The K Club), who shot 68 (three-under-par).

We caught up with current leader @dwhitbysmith after his first round at the #PGAPlayOffs23 and found out how he got on, whether he’s thinking about the top prize and what he’ll do to relax before the next round 🙌🏼

📌 @AphroditeHills1 pic.twitter.com/4xmnUWrBwP
— The PGA (@ThePGA) April 19, 2023

Whitby-Smith said: “I’m really pleased to be out here, the course is superb and the way they can vary the tees, it can play completely different each day.

"Today I flew out the blocks, made the most of the still weather on the front nine, and then grinded through on the back nine when the weather wasn’t quite so good."

Grehan enjoyed a solid start to his round after picking up a birdie on the par 3 fifth to enter the back nine one-under-par. A bogey at the 12^th hampered his progress slightly but a birdie at the 14^th was followed by an eagle at the par 5 18^th to finish on 68.

James Ruth (James Ruth Golf Coaching), Jordan Loft (Prince’s Golf Club) and Craig Lee (Craig Lee Golf Studio) are all tied in third position on three-under-par with 36 holes to play.

As well as a £25,000 prize fund, the top three finishers in the PGA Play-Offs win coveted spots in various DP World Tour events, such as the ISPS Handa World Invitational and Betfred British Masters.

Commenting on the prizes up fro grabs, Whitby-Smith added: “That’s what we’re all out here for, but when you’re out on the course you’re not really thinking about it, you’re just trying to post a good score and hopefully, you’re somewhere in the mix coming down the stretch on the final day.”

CLICK HERE to view a full leaderboard from the 2023 PGA Play-Offs.