DAVID CLOSE made it two wins out of two on the 2004 PGA EuroPro Tour as he clinched the PokerMillion.com European Classic at the Marriott Tudor Park in Maidstone, Kent.
Close, who won the opening event at the Whitekirk GC last week, shot consistent rounds of 65, 67 and 66 to finish on 12-under-par and claim his second successive £10,000 winner’s prize cheque by the most slender of margins.
The Hornsea golfer admitted he could hardly believe how his season had started: “I’m really chuffed with the way I’m playing, he said.
“To win both tournaments at the start of the season is amazing and it sets me up really well for the rest of the season.
“And with an extra £10,000 up for grabs for the golfer who does best at the three Marriott events I’m really keen to keep this form going.”
Matthew Woods pocketed £5,000 for his second placed finish with a final round three-under-par 67 and James Godbold’s final round 65 fired him up the leaderboard to third place.
Rain had blighted the final two days play at Tudor Park with the cut eventually set at two-under-par, but Close kept his nerve to stay ahead of the chasing pack and establish a clear lead at the top of the Order of Merit.
FINAL STANDINGS
POS | Name | Club | Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Score | Prize £ |
1 | David Close | Hornsea | 65 | 67 | 66 | -12 | £10,000 |
2 | Matthew Woods | Newbury Golf Centre | 65 | 67 | 67 | -11 | £5,000 |
3 | James Godbold | Renotex | 68 | 67 | 65 | -10 | £2,500 |
4= | Lee Slattery | Formby G&CC | 68 | 68 | 65 | -9 | £1,525 |
4= | Chris Kelly | Scotland | 66 | 68 | 67 | -9 | £1,525 |
4= | Lee Rhind | Scotland | 67 | 66 | 68 | -9 | £1,525 |