British Par 3 Championship Reports

The Challenge Tour player, and former European Tour star, went into the final day as the overnight leader following a fantastic opening round in which he scored -3 to put himself in contention.

In the end it came down to a straight shootout between Tiley and EuroPro star Andrew Marshall. There was only one stroke in it with Marshall ruing the double bogey he scored on the 3rd.

European Tour star, Aaron Rai and 2013 Norma C Herd Silver Salver winner, Craig Lawrie, put themselves into contention, and they along with Tiley found themselves on the same score, and the prospect of a play-off, loomed large.

However, Lawrie fell away after bogeying on the 13th eventually finishing on -4 and when it looked like Rai could go on to triumph after scoring a magnificent hole-in-one, his round ended with a double bogey on the final hole in front of the grandstand, a hole he has struggled with all day.

The overnight leader kept his composure and nerves to retain his leadfrom the First Round and win, with an overall score of -5 under par across the two rounds. It was enough to take the victory and the €50,000 prize that comes with the honour, and he went one step further, having finished as runner-up in 2016.

When asked how he felt, O’Hanlon said: “Unbelievable! It was a rollercoaster if anything, my emotions are still all over the place, to go from second last year to my second win now, I’m delighted.

“I’m a club and teaching pro, and this is European Tour money, this is out of this world!”

The Super Senior category was shared by former 1991 Masters champion Ian Woosnam OBE and four-time winner Carl Mason, with a score of +1. The Norma C Herd Silver Salver prize, awarded to the best ranking amateur, went to Scot Michael Lawrie, with a score of +5, son of The Open winner Paul Lawrie OBE. While finally the Team prize went to O’Hanlon and his amateur partner Tony Lymn, with a combined score of -13.

A topsy-turvy final day saw the lead of the tournament constantly change hands, as the sunshine finally came out for this year’s edition of the Championship. Eddie Pepperell, a top 20 finisher at this year’s US Open and 2014 BP3 champion, was in inspired form, matching the leader with a score of -3.

Ashley Mason and O’Hanlon were battling with one another for the top berth, but O’Hanlon’s birdie at the 17^th, effectively sealed his title. Mason dropped a shot back late on to eventually finish on -3, while Meghan MacLaren, daughter of European Senior Tour chairman David, also had a fine second round, finishing on -2. Gary Wolstenholme MBE, Steven Tiley and Andre Bossert, all scored -2, while The Open winner Paul Lawrie OBE came in tied eighth with Santiago Luna and Carl Mason, back on -1.

O’Hanlon added: “My long-term goal is to reach the European Senior Tour in three years time, it’s something I want to work towards.”

“I doesn’t get any better than playing with former Masters champion Ian Woosnam OBE in the final group for €50,000 and when it comes down to it, I can actually do it.”

An emotional O’Hanlon received the trophy in-front of a packed grandstand, with a capacity crowd showing their appreciation towards the worthy winner, as well as the winners of the other categories.

Mark Mouland – who broke the Cromwell course record yesterday with a round of -10 – is the son of Sid Mouland, who helped Nailcote Hall owner Rick Cressman to design the course and bring the Championship to this impressive venue. Mouland receives a cheque for €50,000 as the Championship prize fund was increased to €150,000 earlier in the year.

Before accepting his award from tournament host Tony Jacklin CBE, Mark said:

“It went right down to the wire, the gap between us was only two shots with three holes to play but I thought I might just do it when I hit the green on the 17th”.

Richard had hit it long and he dropped three shots while I picked up one so that made the difference.

But the score doesn’t reflect how close it was, it was really neck and neck for most of the round and it’s that excitement, that unpredictability that keeps us coming back for more.”

Former Open Champion Paul Lawrie OBE, who shot the course record in last year's Championship, finished as runner-up after another strong round to finish on -4. The pair teed off together, testing each other in a fascinating encounter, but it was Lane who eventually came out on top.

"The course was fantastic," said Lane "Paul didn't make it easy,especially towards the end but I was confident that I could hold on. It was a wonderful tournament and I'd love to come back to defend my title next year."

Ladies European Tour star Charley Hull also made an early charge in the final round, but was unable to maintain her form to become the Championship's first female winner. Gary Wolstenholme MBE equalled the course record earlier in the day with a bogey-free round of -8 to finish in joint third with Andrew Sherborne and Andrew Marshall.

The Norma C Herd Silver Salver for leading amateur was taken home by 13-year-old Jack Drury with a score of +8. Carl Mason, who is the highest career money winner on the European Senior Tour, scooped the £5,000 Super Senior prize for the third year running, finishing on level par.

Mason is always a strong competitor at the Championship and won in 1999. The leading team prize was also won by Barry Lane with his playing partner David Nelson who finished on a joint score of -14.

After the first day’s play, talented young golfer, Hamblett led by a single stroke with three past winners hot on his heels: Mark Mouland, Peter Baker and DJ Russell. Huge crowds gathered on Thursday for the conclusion of the Professional Championship and they were treated to an incredible golfing spectacle. With Hamblett leading at the start of play but yet to tee-off, Gary Wolstenholme and Paul Lawrie stormed into a joint lead of -6. Lawrie’s incredible round of -8 was a course record at Nailcote Hall and it is easy to see why he has the nickname ‘Chippy’ for his immaculate short game!

As the day wore on, a battle for first place ensued before Hamblett eventually tied the lead with Eddie Pepperell to force a play-off. Aspiring young talent Pepperell eventually came through on top by chipping in on the third play-off hole. The day also saw an incredible four holes-in-one for Gary Wolstenholme, Tommy Horton, DJ Russell and Raymond Russell to take the total for the championship to six, after Tom Reid and Gary Emerson achieved the feat on Wednesday.

The leading team was David Nelson partnered with former Masters Champion Ian Woosnam OBE. Carl Mason won the prize for the Super Seniors contest winning £5,000 for the second year running, and Luke Turbutt won the Norma C Herd Silver Salver for leading amateur closely followed by Tom Charley and Sarah Herd in second and third respectively.

6-time European Tour winner Paul Broadhurst led after the first day, with a superb round of -6. Huge crowds gathered on Thursday for the conclusion of the Professional Championship and they were treated to an incredible golfing spectacle. Paul Broadhurst was unable to maintain his lead until the end and was overtaken by 22-year-old European Tour hot prospect, Tommy Fleetwood. The thrilling conclusion saw Fleetwood bogey the final hole to finish on -4 but Broadhurst was unable to get the birdie he needed to level the scores and finished at -3.

When the leaders went out on Thursday afternoon, the stage was set for a classic climax and they certainly didn’t disappoint. Simon Lilly started well with a birdie at the first, and looked secure out in front for much of the round, but succumbed to a double bogey at the 11th and a bogey on the 12th, where the newly developed water feature sank his challenge. Meanwhile, a burst from two time winner on the European Tour D J Russell put him in pole position for the victory. Russell was playing exceptional golf, especially at the finish, securing birdies at the 14th, 15th and 17th, to finish the round on -8, three shots clear ofLilly on -5 and a further two shots clear of Gary Wolstenholme and Mark Murphy on -3.

Carl Mason and David Dixon had been slipping back during their rounds but Simon Wakefield and Seve Benson were pushing the new leader. Simon birdied the 35th hole to get to 2 under par and needed a birdie at the last to force a play-off! Under pressure his tee shot failed to find the green and a bogey 4 saw him finish at 1 under par for 2nd place, behind the champion – Andrew Sherborne.

With O’Hanlon in the club house at 6 under par, Mouland missed a 6 foot putt for par which would have put him in a play off. And Marshall, who needed a birdie to make a play off watched as his 20 foot putt stopped agonisingly an inch short of the hole. After the dramatic finish, O’Hanlon reflected on how fortunes in golf can change, “Last year after the first day’s play, I was in last place – and here I am now the British Par 3 Champion – It’s amazing!”