Woolgar overcomes late wobble to triumph
30/08/2013
George Woolgar won a play-off at the end of a remarkable WPT Championship at The Oxfordshire to become the first 888poker.com PGA Europro Tour player to win two events this season.
The Chesterfield golfer looked to be cruising after extending his overnight lead to four shots but a bogey on 16, a double at 17 and a bogey on the 18th – achieved with a superb up and down – saw him conclude the tournament at 11-under-par, joining William Harrold (Sheringham Golf Club) in a play-off.
Harrold had shot a final-round 72, level par, to remain at 11-under, while Woolgar shot a 73 to add to two rounds of 66.
The play-off took two plays of the 18th to complete, and Woolgar won with a par on the second play after Harrold bogeyed despite coming close with his birdie putt.
Woolgar claimed his second £10,000 winner’s cheque of the season, and a brand new Motocaddy trolley. He tops the Order of Merit and is now almost certain to earn a Challenge Tour card, the reward for finishing in the top five at the end of the season.
“I was flying, a few under after the first nine and birdied one of the holes going in as well to go to 16 under for the tournament,” he said. “I don’t quite know what happened on the last few but you have to stay patient and I tried to do that and ended up coming out on top.
“On the last I thought I had to chip in to make par, it was a tricky shot but I had a chance. I have been putting well all week and that was the difference.
“I’m top of the Order of Merit now but it isn’t over until the fat lady sings as they say, anything can happen in the last few events. I just want to keep making cuts, get some more money on the board and then see what happens.”
Greg Payne (Chobham Golf Club), Max Smith (Donnington Grove Country Club), Tim Dykes (Penrith Golf Club) tied for third a shot back.
Highlights of the WPT Championship will be shown four times on Wednesday, September 11. The next 888poker.com PGA Europro Tour event is the Eagle Orchid Scottish Masters at Montrose Golf Links, beginning Tuesday, September 25.
