Friday, 28 September 2012

Maestro Manley holds on to take Welsh PGA crown

STUART Manley followed up his victory in the South Wales Festival by winning the Welsh PGA Championship for the first time yesterday.

The Machynys Peninsula pro won the title by three shots from Parc’s Golf Academy’s former champion Richard Dinsdale and North Walian Andrew Barnett at Cardiff Golf Club.

Manley could even afford to card a second-round one-over-par 71, including a single birdie and one double bogey, having blown the field away on day one with a six-under 64 to lead by five strokes.

Victory for Manley gives him automatic qualification to next year’s Wales Open and the PGAs of Europe International Team Championship to be played at Palmares, Portugal, from November 20-23.

While Manley picked up a cheque for £1,500, Dinsdale, the 1999 winner, fired a magnificent 66 to claim a share of second place alongside Barnett, who carded successive 69s on the Cyncoed course, on two-under.

There was also a tie for fourth as Matthew Dearden (Vale) and three-time former champ Simon Edwards (Windermere) finished a shot further back after rounds of 69 and 70 respectively.

Another Vale-based pro, Sion Bebb, was sixth while 1998 champion, St Pierre’s Liam Bond, who takes part in European Tour qualifying at Frilford Heath next week, ended a disappointing seventh, six shots off the lead.

Former British Amateur champion Paul Mayo, winner in 1990 and 1991, tied for 15th with three other men following a round of 73.

Leading scores; 135 S Manley, 138 R Dinsdale, A Barnett, 139 M Dearden, S Edwards, 140 S Bebb, 141 L Bond, 142 L Jones, 144 A Constable, 146 L Rooke, G Jones

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