Armitage cruises to victory at Concra Wood

Marcus Armitage recorded his first 888poker.com PGA EuroPro Tour victory in the Kingspan Concra Wood Open. England’s Marcus Armitage shot a final-round 68 to clinch his maiden PGA EuroPro Tour victory in the Kingspan Concra Wood Open.

The Lancastrian won by two strokes from Paul Doherty (71) on eight under par with Elliot Saltman (66) a shot further back in third. Scores

The Irish challenge petered out with Tim Rice claiming a share of 10th and £775 after a closing 74 left him on one under.

Mick McGeady (72) tied for 12th but Ruaidhri McGee and Noel Fox both shot 75s to slip to 22nd on two over.

Armitage began the final round one behind Scotland’s Doherty but began in some style with an eagle on the par-five first, climbing to six under alongside his playing partner Doherty, who opened with a birdie four.

Birdies on the third and fourth afforded Armitage a two-stroke advantage, but Doherty hit back-to-back par breakers at seven and eight to leave the pair tied at eight under.

Armitage dropped back one when he bogeyed the tenth but Doherty joined him three holes later when he took six at the par-five 13th.

On the 14th Armitage returned to eight under and as heavy rain began to engulf the course at Concra Wood, Doherty dropped to six under with a bogey on the 17th. His English rival held his nerve to par the last and collect the £10,000 winner’s cheque and a brand new Motocaddy trolley.

“I have only played twice on this tour before and I missed the cut both times,” said Armitage on collecting his trophy. “This is my first event of the year since Qualifying School and it is great to win, I didn’t think it would feel as good as it does to win it. Concra Wood is a great test.

“The rain got heavy on the last three holes and I just had to focus and play the shots I needed too.”

A two-hour highlights package of the Kingspan Concra Wood Open will be broadcast on Sky Sports HD at 7pm on Tuesday, August 6, repeated on Wednesday, August 7.

The next 888poker.com PGA EuroPro Tour event takes place at Rowallan Castle, Ayrshire next Wednesday.