Wootton takes Prince’s Kent Crown
20/05/2016
Oxford Golf Centre’s Adam Wootton led a charge into Kent to open his account in the Virgin Atlantic 2016 PGA South Order of Merit, winning the CK Group PGA Kent Open Championship at Prince’s with a fantastic 36-hole total of 11-under-par 133.
Driving home with the winner’s cheque for £2,100, Wootton was delighted to have put a good second round of 69 together after shooting a blistering eight-under par 64 in the first round to lead by one.
In second spot was Scott Marshall (Lambourne) who added a 68 to his first round of 67 to card a nine-under-par total of 135, taking home his cheque for £1,400.
One shot behind was the duo of Ben O’Dell (Best4Balls Ltd) and Martin Woodbridge (Bearwood Lakes) on eight-under-par. Having shot a seven-under-par 65 along with Chris Gane (LeftHandedGolf@Silvermere) in the first round yesterday, Ben O’Dell managed a one-under-par 71 for a total of 136, while Woodbridge carded a 69 and a 67.
“In the first round there was only a gentle breeze and when I teed off in the morning, and with the course playing in great shape, the conditions were pretty well perfect for scoring," said Wootton.
“I made a nice birdie on the par five second, but the birdie charge through the seventh, eighth and ninth put me in great shape at four-under.
“I maintained the same form through the back nine with four more birdies. When I look back, I not only birdied all the par fives, but deuced three of the four short holes as well.”
In fact Wootton missed a four footer on the other par three, the third, and a five footer at the 15th for an eagle, so his card could have been even more sensational.
Wootton added: “True, but I holed three 25 foot putts as well, so I think I made up for those two putts! On the second day the wind was up and the course was set up right off the tips, but I started really well with two birdies.
“I three-putted the fourth and didn’t get down in two on the eight for a bogey, and went birdie, bogey, birdie to be on one-under by the 15th tee, nine-under-par overall for the championship.”
Wootton needed just a driver, a seven iron and a four foot putt for a dramatic and well-timed eagle to be on 11-under-par. On the 18th tee he was able to confirm that he was two shots in the lead, and although he drove into the rough down the right, he still got down in two putts from 40’ to win his first major title for a while.
“I’ve been working hard on my putting and it really paid off. I want to thank my sponsors of course, and Core Golf for the help with my clubs, and I’m really looking forward to the rest of the season, and having a crack at the Virgin Atlantic Order of Merit title,” said Wootton.
The next Virgin Atlantic PGA South Order of Merit event is the PGA Surrey Open Championship at Kingswood Golf & Country Club on July 28-29.
