Woodman a cut above at Lambourne

Guy Woodman rattled off a winning three-under-par 69 in the Titleist & FootJoy PGA Professional Championship qualifier at Lambourne then nipped off to Wentworth to soak up the action at the BMW PGA Championship.

The 37 year old was able to relax in style having made light of a recent back injury to reel off four birdies in six holes on the front nine to set up victory and secure himself a place in the £91,500 grand final which will be held at Burnham & Berrow Golf Club in Somerset on June 2-5.

Afterwards he visited Wentworth to see his coaches, PGA pros Andrew Nicholson and Stewart Corstorphine who were both working with players at the European Tour’s biggest event.

Woodman was happy to report good form and fitness having been plagued by lower back issues in recent months.

“I was just pleased to be playing again,” said the former PGA Assistants champion who has been playing on the Asian Tour in the last few years until losing his card.

“I drove the ball poorly but reverted to keeping the ball on the fairway with my three iron and three wood.

“I’ve had a bit of a problem with my back, probably lifting something I shouldn’t have in the gym, but the last couple of weeks it’s been okay.”

Woodman does a lot of biomechanics with Corstorphine and admits he wished he’d known more about it when he was younger.

“I would have done things a lot differently had I known what I know now,” he said.

Woodman is now enjoying a new role with Canadian apparel company Longball Inc helping launch it in this country.

“I’m still passionate about playing golf but it’s a good opportunity with Longball Inc. I met them through the Asian Tour – it’s a nice lifestyle brand for on and off the course.”

However he still revels in the competitive arena and is looking forward to taking on the UK’s best PGA pros at Burnham & Berrow even though he’s not the biggest fan of links golf.

“I’m not a great fan of links golf, I don’t have fond memories because when it is windy I don’t play well but I always love the challenge of playing in this event.

“I know they will all be good players and if you can win this you’ve done something good plus there is a lot of good opportunities with the PGA Play-Offs in Turkey and the chance to qualify for the PGA Cup.”

Woodman will be joined by 11 other qualifiers from Lambourne including former 2008 PGA Professional champion Paul Simpson.

The winner at Burnham & Berrow is also in line to drive away with a Peugeot 308 GT for the use of for a year courtesy of the car giant.