Huge win for Caldwell: "I'm over the moon"
Jonny Caldwell will the Cobra Puma Golf Championship trophy. Picture: PGA Europro Tour
Jonathan Caldwell moved up to third on the PGA Europro Tour money list and into position to graduate to the Challenge Tour at the end of the season when he won the COBRA PUMA GOLF Championship by two shots at Machynys Peninsula Golf Club in Llanelli.
A Walker Cup star and foursomes partner for Rory McIlroy at Royal County Down in 2007, the 33-year old Clandeboye man carded a final-round 69 in wet and windy conditions to triumph on nine-under par.
“It has been a long day, but I am absolutely over the moon,” said Caldwell, who won £10,000 as well as a Motocaddy S3 PRO electric trolley with lithium battery, Bushnell Pro X2 Range Finder and Bolle sunglasses.
“I made two par saves at 16 and 17 and they were massive. There were always going to be holes where you have to scramble and it just happened to be two of my last three, but I am delighted to get the job done.
“It was a game of patience. Pars were huge out there and birdies are even bigger. It is massive to get the win, you need to on this tour, and it would be great to get another win and secure that top five position on the Race To Amendoeira.”
The HotelPlanner.com PGA EuroPro Tour event was suspended for one hour and 45 minutes in the early stages of the final round due to heavy rain.
Caldwell led on seven under par but Jason Timmis (Greenway Hall Golf Club) put pressure on the Northern Irishman with a fantastic final-round 67 to finish on seven under.
But four birdies to just one bogey on the back nine saw Caldwell get to nine under and capture his second EuroPro title.
He is now third in the Race To Amendoeira which awards Challenge Tour cards to the top five money winners at the end of the season.
Greg Payne finished third on five under with Royal Dublin's Niall Kearney tied for fourth after a 71 and Brendan McCarroll (73) tied 16th.
Dermot McElroy is seventh in the money list with Gavin Moynihan eighth, Kearney 16th, Brian Casey 30th, Tim Rice 73rd, Brian McElhinney 106th, Stephen Grant 123rd, Mark Staunton 132nd and David Carey 140th
Highlights of the COBRA PUMA GOLF Championship will air on Sky Sports Golf on Tuesday, August 1. The HotelPlanner.com PGA EuroPro Tour continues with the Matchroom Sport Championship at Luton Hoo Hotel, Golf & Spa, Wednesday, July 26 – Friday, July 28.