Pieter Milan Werner produced a remarkable showing on the final day of the McGregor Trophy to win by a single shot ahead of Netherlands teammate Youp Orsel.
With 36 holes being played on the final day at Radcliffe-on-Trent Golf Club, Werner produced two sublime rounds of 67 (-3) to leapfrog Italy’s Matteo Manini (Le Fonti), who had led after each of the first three rounds.
Werner said: “It feels grand. I had a rusty start to the season but now I’m here, my game was out, but I won, so it’s incredible!
“I just kept telling myself to keep doing what I was doing all week. The birdies on the final stretch of the third round were important but I think the key moment was the putt on 14 in the last round from about 10 metres, and I drained it.
“I’ll put the trophy in my case and I’ll celebrate with all my mates in the Dutch squad by having a party or something tonight!”
On the final day, Castle Royale’s Marcus Smith shot out the blocks in the morning with three straight birdies to move into the top-10 after 54 holes, thanks to a 67 (-3), while Spain’s Miguel Fuertes Burdeos holed out from 120 yards for eagle on the par-4 9th to rocket him up the leaderboard with a third straight round of 71 (+1).
An eagle and three birdies on the closing nine for Werner saw the Eindhovensche golfer shoot back into contention in 4th place, with Manini, Orsel (Miguel Angel Jimenez) and Ireland’s Harry O’Hara (Clandeboye) separated by just a single shot at the top.
Werner kicked off the final round with three straight birdies to sneak to the top of the board as Manini and O’Hara dropped back. While the top-two tailed off a little, Dutch duo Werner and Orsel battled it out, with Werner playing some stunning golf, as he birdied 14, 16 and 17, while Orsel, in the group behind, stayed in the hunt with birdies on 14 and 16.
A safe play on the last off the tee, Werner’s approach was just right and he was unable to get up-and-down, meaning he finished on -6 overall. It meant Orsel needed birdie on the last to take it to a play-off and he almost chipped in from just off the green in front of a packed clubhouse – as Werner celebrated victory, joining a list of star names to win the trophy, including Rasmus Hojgaard, Edoardo Molinari and Justin Rose.
O’Hara finished 3rd on -3, with Manini 4th on -2, and Burdeos enjoying 5th place after shooting level-par.
Elsewhere, Sweden’s Junes Chirband had a remarkable back nine (29, -6) to end his tournament, finishing with five birdies, a bogey and an eagle-two in the final seven holes, propelling him to a tied-8th place finish.
Werner was also presented with Jean Case Memorial Salver for being the leading under-15 player. Click here to see the final leaderboard.
Werner said: “It feels grand. I had a rusty start to the season but now I’m here, my game was out, but I won, so it’s incredible!
“I just kept telling myself to keep doing what I was doing all week. The birdies on the final stretch of the third round were important but I think the key moment was the putt on 14 in the last round from about 10 metres, and I drained it.
“I’ll put the trophy in my case and I’ll celebrate with all my mates in the Dutch squad by having a party or something tonight!”
On the final day, Castle Royale’s Marcus Smith shot out the blocks in the morning with three straight birdies to move into the top-10 after 54 holes, thanks to a 67 (-3), while Spain’s Miguel Fuertes Burdeos holed out from 120 yards for eagle on the par-4 9th to rocket him up the leaderboard with a third straight round of 71 (+1).
An eagle and three birdies on the closing nine for Werner saw the Eindhovensche golfer shoot back into contention in 4th place, with Manini, Orsel (Miguel Angel Jimenez) and Ireland’s Harry O’Hara (Clandeboye) separated by just a single shot at the top.
Werner kicked off the final round with three straight birdies to sneak to the top of the board as Manini and O’Hara dropped back. While the top-two tailed off a little, Dutch duo Werner and Orsel battled it out, with Werner playing some stunning golf, as he birdied 14, 16 and 17, while Orsel, in the group behind, stayed in the hunt with birdies on 14 and 16.
A safe play on the last off the tee, Werner’s approach was just right and he was unable to get up-and-down, meaning he finished on -6 overall. It meant Orsel needed birdie on the last to take it to a play-off and he almost chipped in from just off the green in front of a packed clubhouse – as Werner celebrated victory, joining a list of star names to win the trophy, including Rasmus Hojgaard, Edoardo Molinari and Justin Rose.
O’Hara finished 3rd on -3, with Manini 4th on -2, and Burdeos enjoying 5th place after shooting level-par.
Elsewhere, Sweden’s Junes Chirband had a remarkable back nine (29, -6) to end his tournament, finishing with five birdies, a bogey and an eagle-two in the final seven holes, propelling him to a tied-8th place finish.
Werner was also presented with Jean Case Memorial Salver for being the leading under-15 player. Click here to see the final leaderboard.
ENDS
Contact details:
Tom Vale, Press & Media Manager
Tel: 07912 240850
Email: tom.vale@englandgolf.org
www.englandgolf.org
Contact details:
Tom Vale, Press & Media Manager
Tel: 07912 240850
Email: tom.vale@englandgolf.org
www.englandgolf.org