Devon County PGA FeaturesReports of achievements by Devon Pros
West Region Report
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Chris Gill won his first major title for five years by edging out Andrew Sherborne in a play-off to become the Waverley TBS West Region champion at Woodbury Park.
The 28-year-old Exeter touring player, who led from start to finish, will remember Woodbury's brilliant par three signature 18th hole with both joy and despair. He dropped his only shot in two days in the second round on the 18th. Yet his six-under-par 66, the tournament's low round following an opening 67, gave him a five shot lead going into the final day.
And he was one stroke ahead of former European Tour winner Sherborne (Kendleshire) and two better than David Hutton (High Post) as the final trio teed up at the 54th hole. Sherborne made a safe par, Hutton lipped out from 12 feet for birdie before Gill's two-footer spun round the hole but remained above ground.
Chris Gill played some smart golf!
So it was back to the 160-yard 18th with water on three sides. After two safe pars the pair tried again. This time Sherborne's seven-iron finished four feet above the hole in the fringe. This time he failed to make par and Gill made no mistake from two feet to claim his first West Region order of merit title and bank his biggest cheque since he won on the Europro Tour in 2002.
"It is a great feeling," he said. "I have been playing great golf this year and owe a lot to a coaching session I had on the beach at Minehead last week." He went there with Glenn Ross, now the South West Golf Foundation development officer based in the Somerset seaside town, who videoed extensively and proposed suitable minor adjustments.
Gill, who played on the Asian Tour until funds ran dry, is now reconciled to playing regional golf unless cash is forthcoming. His target now is to win the order of merit.
Sherborne, 46, made up five shots with a closing 67. "He was awesome and hit the ball beautifully," praised Gill. Hutton, 32, too, charged into contention and was only one behind at the turn but missed the play-off by a shot.
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