Willey takes aim at Midland title

The PGA in England (Midlands) season comes to a close next week as the leading pros converge on Shifnal for the Midlands PGA Professional Championship.

The Order of Merit title for 2014 will be decided at the 36-hole event with the champion elect anyone's guess at the moment following one of the closest-run seasons in recent memory.

Four different golfers have stood on the victory podium in the four events thus far, Andrew Willey isn't one of them, but he is in contention and aiming to save the best for last.

The Bulwell Forest pro's name has been a regular one on leaderboards this season, his consistency has lifted him to second in the overall standings thanks to a series of high finishes including a runners up spot at the Midland Masters at Kedleston Park.

This year has also seen a career high for Willey, his third place at the prestigious Glenmuir PGA Professional Championship at Blairgowrie in August.

He heads to Shifnal on top form ready to challenge the likes of defending champion and current leader Matthew Cort and PGA in England (Midlands) captain Ian Walley who lies third in order to scoop the title. The bigger names may well need to keep a close eye on the likely steady progress of the Nottingham man.

“I've played some really nice consistent golf this season, and when it hasn't quite been there I've managed to save scores with a few good putting performances,” explained Willey.

“Since I've been at the club full time for the past six months I haven't really had time to practice a great deal, but I did take a putting tip or two from the club captain who plays off plus two, and it seems to be working.”

“I'd love to stay in the top three in the standings and have the chance to go to Turkey for the PGA Play-Offs, that's the main aim at the moment but if I can play my normal game and find that hot putter again, it could get even better than that.”