Todd Clements, who will represent Brocket Hall on the PGA EuroPro Tour in 2019, won the first event of the season at his club’s Palmerston Course – the IFX Payments Championship
FORMER English Amateur Champion Todd Clements claimed the opening event of the PGA EuroPro Tour season – winning The IFX Payments Championship at Brocket Hall, on Friday.
Clements, who is attached to Brocket Hall, at Welwyn Garden City, Clements reached 16-under with a final round of 67 to clinch the title – and a cheque for £10,000 – by two shots from Rockliffe Hall’s Andrew Wilson, his former England amateur team-mate.
Clements, who came through the EuroPro Q-School last month, finishing tied 12th at Frilford Heath, was on form and consistent throughout hitting two 68s in his first two rounds.
Clements, who is coached by Surrey’s European Tour player Zane Scotland, said of his debut victory: “I really enjoyed it. The course was in great condition and a good well-run event is always going to be a success.”
Going into the final round: “I’ve always tried to do one shot at a time and hopefully, I’m in contention. Then go through the nine holes and you know, make the decision do I go for it or not.”
About the closing stretch when he led by two with two holes to play, Clements, who claimed the English Amateur title at The Berkshire two years ago, said “A lot of relief really. Been under a lot of stress, five hours is a long round of golf. A bit more of relief. I will enjoy it with my team and family tonight and let it settle in.”
Wilson’s remarkable final round of eight-under meant he broke the picturesque Hertfordshire course’s record with a superb 65 as he tried to chase Clement down.
Elsewhere, the overnight clubhouse leader Guy Woodman, from East Berkshire GC, couldn’t better his total of 11-under, after a level par 73 in Friday’s final round.
It was a special day for Stoke Park’s John Gough, the only amateur in the field, who found himself in the top five after going three-under to finish the week on 12-under overall alongside Richard Mansell, from Beau Desert Golf Club.
Mearns Castle’s Conor O’Neil had a good day on Brocket’s Palmerston Course getting in the clubhouse on 12-under, after a six-under 67.
It was a good day for former England amateur internationals – Yorkshire}s 2016 Brabazon Trophy winner Jamie Bower, from Meltham GC, finished in the top 10 alongside Trentham’s Gian-Marco Petrozzi and Derbyshire’s Ashton Turner, a former Daily Telegraph Junior Championship winner.
Former Hampshire Amateur Champion Darren Walkley, from Hayling, who has been in good form on the EDP Tour in North Africa earlier in the season, also finished inside the top 10.
See the Final Leaderboard for full results.
You can watch highlights of the IFX Payments Championship on Sky Sports on June 4, from 8pm.
