GARETH WRIGHT SHARES LEAD IN GLENMUIR PGA CHAMPIONSHIP
NEWS RELEASE FROM THE PGA
A few tweaks to his putting technique yielded instant returns for former champion John Dwyer in round one of the Glenmuir PGA Professional Championship at De Vere Carden Park.
The Ashbourne head pro, who won the Peugeot supported event in 2007, carded a flawless six-under-par 66 to set the clubhouse target, later matched by West Linton's Welshman, Gareth Wright.
Dwyer revealed a loss of confidence with the putter had prompted his tinkering ahead of the £78,000 tournament but there were no jitters on the greens during a blistering front nine containing five birdies and no dropped shots.
"I've been playing very steady with five second place finishes in Ireland but I've not been putting well to be honest," he said.
"I made a few changes since my last event at home and it has made a big difference. I had had lost a bit of confidence through holing no putts and was not really committing to putts.
"So I shortened the back swing and got it accelerating through impact and the ball is just rolling better and holding its line."
With a further three rounds to go it remains early days for Dwyer but his opening salvo stirred memories of his previous triumph at Royal Porthcawl
"From memory I started with the same score at Royal Porthcawl and obviously it is nice to get up there," he said.
"There is still a long way to go but if you are playing well there are a lot of birdies out there."
While Dwyer managed to keep bogeys off his card, Wright had the misfortune of leaking a shot on the very first hole.
It wasn't an ideal start for the Scottish-based Welshman but Carden Park is a happy hunting ground for Wright who topped European Tour qualifying school at the venue back in 2005.
"I got off to a bit of a ropey start, I didn't hit a particularly good tee shot down the first and left myself a long way away off and then I found a hazard at the second which I stupidly didn't realise was there but fortunately made par - up and downing it from 30 yards.
"But I was swinging it okay and wasn't really worried, going on a nice little run with a five iron to four feet on the third and a four foot birdie on the next."
A brilliant six iron to a foot on the 174-yard par three eighth maintained his momentum which culminated with a birdie, birdie finish and just a blip on the 12th when a chip came up short denying him the outright lead.
Hot on the heels of the leaders after a 67 is Midland-based pro Craig Shave from Whestone who credited his return to form with some timely advice from his parents.
"I've no idea where this round came from because I haven't been playing too well this season," he said.
"But mom and dad had a look at me on the range and pointed out a few things and it's paid off today.
"I've been trying hard but the results have just not been coming. My irons were good today, I teed off well, hit a lot of close second shots which helps and putted okay."
Cameron Clark (Moor Hall) birdied the last two holes for a 68 and after previous experiences is hoping to sustain his form for the four rounds.
"I always enjoy this event and it's one I really look forward to. In the past I've had two and a half decent rounds but it's trying to put four decent rounds together," he said.
"This week I've got the family with me so I'm nice and relaxed. I want to compete and do well and if it works great but there's more to life than playing good golf."
PGA Cup duo Jon Bevan (Wessex Golf Centre) and Stuart Little (Minchinhampton New Golf Club) carded 69s as did Kilkenny's Jimmy Bolger.
LEADING FIRST-ROUND SCORES
Par 72
66 John Dwyer (Ashbourne), Gareth Wright (West Linton)
67 Craig Shave (Whetsone)
68 Cameron Clark (Moor Hall)
69 Jon Bevan (Wessex Golf Centre), Stuart Little (Minchinhampton New), Jimmy Bolger (Kilkenny)
SCOTS' SCORES
72 Ian Graham (Crow Wood), Robert Arnott (Bishopbriggs), Craig Matheson (Falkirk Tryst), Ian Taylor (Drumpellier) (T24)
73 Stephen Lamb (Macdonald Cardrona).
75 Alastair Forrow (Whitecraigs), Albert Forrow (Whitecraigs), Albert Mackenzie (Saunton) (T74)
76 Andrew Fullen (Largs) (T99)
79 Scott Herald (Mearns Castle) (T133)
80 Jonathan Cliff (Murrayfield) (T140)
82 Norman Huguet (Musselburgh) (T151)
TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES
CLICK HERE
A few tweaks to his putting technique yielded instant returns for former champion John Dwyer in round one of the Glenmuir PGA Professional Championship at De Vere Carden Park.
The Ashbourne head pro, who won the Peugeot supported event in 2007, carded a flawless six-under-par 66 to set the clubhouse target, later matched by West Linton's Welshman, Gareth Wright.
Dwyer revealed a loss of confidence with the putter had prompted his tinkering ahead of the £78,000 tournament but there were no jitters on the greens during a blistering front nine containing five birdies and no dropped shots.
"I've been playing very steady with five second place finishes in Ireland but I've not been putting well to be honest," he said.
"I made a few changes since my last event at home and it has made a big difference. I had had lost a bit of confidence through holing no putts and was not really committing to putts.
"So I shortened the back swing and got it accelerating through impact and the ball is just rolling better and holding its line."
With a further three rounds to go it remains early days for Dwyer but his opening salvo stirred memories of his previous triumph at Royal Porthcawl
"From memory I started with the same score at Royal Porthcawl and obviously it is nice to get up there," he said.
"There is still a long way to go but if you are playing well there are a lot of birdies out there."
While Dwyer managed to keep bogeys off his card, Wright had the misfortune of leaking a shot on the very first hole.
It wasn't an ideal start for the Scottish-based Welshman but Carden Park is a happy hunting ground for Wright who topped European Tour qualifying school at the venue back in 2005.
"I got off to a bit of a ropey start, I didn't hit a particularly good tee shot down the first and left myself a long way away off and then I found a hazard at the second which I stupidly didn't realise was there but fortunately made par - up and downing it from 30 yards.
"But I was swinging it okay and wasn't really worried, going on a nice little run with a five iron to four feet on the third and a four foot birdie on the next."
A brilliant six iron to a foot on the 174-yard par three eighth maintained his momentum which culminated with a birdie, birdie finish and just a blip on the 12th when a chip came up short denying him the outright lead.
Hot on the heels of the leaders after a 67 is Midland-based pro Craig Shave from Whestone who credited his return to form with some timely advice from his parents.
"I've no idea where this round came from because I haven't been playing too well this season," he said.
"But mom and dad had a look at me on the range and pointed out a few things and it's paid off today.
"I've been trying hard but the results have just not been coming. My irons were good today, I teed off well, hit a lot of close second shots which helps and putted okay."
Cameron Clark (Moor Hall) birdied the last two holes for a 68 and after previous experiences is hoping to sustain his form for the four rounds.
"I always enjoy this event and it's one I really look forward to. In the past I've had two and a half decent rounds but it's trying to put four decent rounds together," he said.
"This week I've got the family with me so I'm nice and relaxed. I want to compete and do well and if it works great but there's more to life than playing good golf."
PGA Cup duo Jon Bevan (Wessex Golf Centre) and Stuart Little (Minchinhampton New Golf Club) carded 69s as did Kilkenny's Jimmy Bolger.
LEADING FIRST-ROUND SCORES
Par 72
66 John Dwyer (Ashbourne), Gareth Wright (West Linton)
67 Craig Shave (Whetsone)
68 Cameron Clark (Moor Hall)
69 Jon Bevan (Wessex Golf Centre), Stuart Little (Minchinhampton New), Jimmy Bolger (Kilkenny)
SCOTS' SCORES
72 Ian Graham (Crow Wood), Robert Arnott (Bishopbriggs), Craig Matheson (Falkirk Tryst), Ian Taylor (Drumpellier) (T24)
73 Stephen Lamb (Macdonald Cardrona).
75 Alastair Forrow (Whitecraigs), Albert Forrow (Whitecraigs), Albert Mackenzie (Saunton) (T74)
76 Andrew Fullen (Largs) (T99)
79 Scott Herald (Mearns Castle) (T133)
80 Jonathan Cliff (Murrayfield) (T140)
82 Norman Huguet (Musselburgh) (T151)
TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES
CLICK HERE
Labels: PRO GOLF
posted by Colin |
See story on its own page | Tuesday, August 07, 2012
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