The Irish Golf Club Gazette: James Watts

Showing posts with label James Watts. Show all posts

8/01/2014

Watts Closes in at Mount Wolseley

PGAEuroPro Tour

James Watts is closing in on his second HotelPlanner.com PGA EuroPro Tour win in three weeks as he takes a one-stroke lead into the final round of the Walk In My Shoes Open after a second consecutive six-under-par 66.

The Englishman won the Simpson & Marwick Championship at Royal Burgess Golfing Society of Edinburgh two weeks ago and sits on 12 under par ahead of the final round at Mount Wolseley Hotel, Spa & Country Club in Co. Carlow, Ireland.

Stuart Archibald (The Legend Alliance) is one behind after carding a second-round 65 on the par-72 course to move to 11 under, while Richard Kilpatrick’s (Banbridge Golf Club) second-round 66 will see him start the final round third on eight under, four behind the leader.

Watts (Kingsway Golf Centre) carded six birdies in his opening eight holes on Wednesday, and began Thursday’s second round on the tenth tee at six under. Birdies at 12, 14 and 16 took him to nine under and despite two bogeys on the regular front nine he was still able to sign for 66 thanks to three birdies and an eagle on the par-four fourth.

The top five on the Order of Merit at the end of the season earn Challenge Tour cards, and Watts currently lies fifth with £15,109.37 to his name. The Walk In My Shoes Open carries a £40,000 prize fund with £10,000 going to the winner, and victory would see the Hertfordshire golfer move to second on the all-important rankings.

“I hit 3-wood up the left on the fourth,” explained Watts of his eagle. “I got it to within 74 yards and holed it from there, which was lucky.

“I was a bit disappointed because both bogeys I had came from three putts so that was annoying, but I am pleased with another 66.

“Having the win under my belt I know how to deal with the TV cameras and the pressure, but it is a case of doing what I have been doing all week and seeing what happens.

“There is almost more pressure on the final round this week. If I get a second win then it is almost job done in terms of finishing top five on the Order of Merit. With the first win there was no guarantees but a second win would move you a lot closer to job done.”

The final round of the Walk In My Shoes Open will be filmed for a two-hour highlights programme to be broadcast on Sky Sports on Tuesday, August 12, with repeats the following day. Spectator entry is free of charge and live scoring can be found at www.europrotour.com.

10/17/2013

Farr Ahead of McGeady

PGA EuroPro Tour

Michael McGeady battled into second place midway through the front nine in the final round of the 888poker.com PGA EuroProTour Championship on Thursday to make the turn two under and in contention.

Having started out the day in the second last group, and in a share of second place, the chance then slipped as successive bogeys on thirteen and fourteen - with no more birdies on the run for home - left the Irish PGA Champion level par for the day.

McGeady finished in a share of seventh and a total of five strokes off the winner on -8.

Oliver Farr won the PGA EuroPro Tour Championship and the 2013 season Order of Merit, after finishing 13 under par for his 54 holes at Prince’s Golf Club.

Daniel Gavins was one behind in second place, which also confirmed his position as runner-up on the tour rankings. Paul Reed and James Watts finished the tournament tied for third on ten under par.

The top five on the Order of Merit are awarded Challenge Tour cards for 2014.

George Woolgar, who was guaranteed a top-five finish before Tour Championship, came third with Dave Coupland and Paul McKechnie also progressing to Europe’s second-tier Tour.

Farr (Worcester Golf & Country Club) shot a final-round 67, five under, to beat overnight leader Gavins (De Vere Oulton Hall) by one and in doing so also claimed the Order of Merit title.

“The last two days I have really controlled the ball well and put some great scores in,” said Farr. “It was nice to do that under a lot of pressure. I wasn’t quite sure of my Challenge Tour card for next year but it is brilliant to get it.

“The Challenge Tour card only really occurred to me on the 18th. I was focusing on the last round. I came here this week to just play this tournament as it is and I did that. It only really came into my mind on the 18th tee, then I thought I could win the Order of Merit.

“Playing on the Challenge Tour is something to really, really look forward to. I have played some Challenge Tour events this year and I feel comfortable on there. There is a little step up but I will prepare myself and get some good practice in over the winter to get ready for next year.”

The Welshman led for much of the back nine after shooting five birdies on the first 11 holes. A birdie for Gavins on the last left Farr with a short but nervy putt for victory, which he calmly made to collect a winner’s cheque of £15,000 and a brand new Motocaddy S3 Pro.

Richard Wallis finished sixth on the 888poker.com PGA EuroPro Tour Order of Merit, missing out on the top five by just £69.17. However, if any of the top five earn a Challenge or European Tour card via the European Tour Qualifying School, he will receive their satellite tour graduate category.

Marcus Armitage collected the Rookie Of The Year trophy after finishing ninth on the Order of Merit.

Ruairdhri McGee finished one stroke adrift of McGeady after a final round 74.

Colm Moriarty signed for a successive third round 70 to end the week T25.

Tim Rice carded a final round 69 but found himself in 33rd place following a second 76 on Wednesday.

Paul Cutler, the 2011 Walker Cup player was 38th after rounds of 73-70-70.

McGee and Moriarty will get another chance at a European Tour card during Stage Two of Qualifying School next month in Spain.