Southern's rolling Matchplay championship is well underway and has already seen some thrilling matches, below is a match report, come and join WGT's newest Country Club and get in on the action now at www.selgolfclub.com
"1st 3 holes go by and I jump out to a quick 2 hole lead after sinking a 10 ft putt on the first and a 23 footer bomb on the 3rd after Craig had hit his approach to 3 feet.
4th Green I lipped an 8 ft putt and craig rams home his 5 footer and the hole is halved
5th Craig hits a 9 foot birdie to take the hole and halve the deficit to 1 hole. Great putt, dead centre.
6th tee and the wind is heavily against so both players reach the green in 3, I hit my approach to 9ft but miss the resulting putt. craig sinks his excellent 4 ft approach to square the match.
Par 3 7th both players hit their tee shots safe on the top level, craig is first away with a 28 footer that lips out, sooo close and I quickly follow it up on a similar line with a 20 ft birdie to move 1 up
8th both tee shots nicely down the middle and settled in the middle of the fairway, craig is first to hit his approach, stone dead 3ft from the hole, amazingly followed by my approach, again, stone dead inside craigs fantastic approach. Amazing golf by both players as we both walk off with a half. Any other day both of these approaches will take the hole outright.
The 9th hole is halved in Pars and the match stands at Talluin 1 up. A very close match with some outstanding golf by both players.
10th over the water, both tee shots inside 10 feet…. Craig is first to putt and it slides by the hole… very, very close, I smack my 6 footer and take a 2 hole lead.
11th and Craig has an opportunity to nick one back but his putt once again slides a whisker past, hole is halved as we head down the 12th.
Stray tee shot from me as I clip the tree on the left, capitalised on by craig with a screamer down the middle…. I pull up short of the green with my 2nd and craig fails to capitalise further by hitting his approach short left into the light rough. Both players miss 10 foot putts to win the hole and the hole is halved.
Onto the par 3 13th and its me still with the honour. I hit my tee shot to 14 feet and craig to 11. My putt slides by the hole and craig has an opening to take the hole, he’s slightly too aggressive and now has a challenging 7ft putt back to secure a half which he duly obliges, great putt under pressure from craig to keep the match at 2 down.
14th and Craig hits a poor drive and his second is short. My drive is down the middle followed up by a very useful approach to 13 feet. Craig once again produces another wonder putt under pressure to save par and the hole is halved after my putt once again slides a hair by the hole.
Match standing as we both head down 15
Talluin 2 up
I hit my drive down the middle of fairway, craig pulls his slightly left and is in the rough.
Its me to go and I absolutely nail a 4 iron at the flag… 5 feet from the hole and Craig’s approach is short. Craig’s 3rd leaves him 4 ft from the hole and surprisingly he concedes the hole and I take a healthy 3 hole lead.
Dormie down the 16th.
The match comes to an end after I nail my approach and the match finished a very flattering 4 up for me which completely belies the way this match was. Every hole was fought for and there really was a very high standard of golf throughout. I take my hat off to Craig, a great game and true gentleman. Both players had opportunities but to be fair, both putters blew hot and cold throughout the round.
Tal"