Congratulations to BritishAmateur Champion Garrick Porteous who claimed his first professional win as he took the FSC Invitational title after a play-off in the HotelPlanner.com PGA EuroPro Tour event at The Astbury in Shropshire.
The 24-year-old who is a pupil of Putting Coach Phil Kenyon carded a final-round 66 (-4) to finish ten under, tied with South African Darryn Lloyd (68, 68, 64) and Yorkshireman James Maw (65, 66, 69) on the par-70 course.
The play-off took place on The Astbury’s spectacular par-three 18th and on the first play both Maw (Rockliffe Hall) and Porteous (ISM) made par, but Lloyd (Toft Hotel) found a greenside bunker and made bogey. On the second play Maw too found the sand but played out to within feet of the pin. However, Porteous was well-placed on the green and putted in one for birdie and the victory.
“It is great to get the first pro win in,” said Porteous. “I got off to a slow start as a pro, missing a few cuts, but coming here and winning feels great and builds up the confidence.
“It is always nice to win and I am happy. I will see what happens for the rest of the season, I think I might get some European Tour invites and also play a few more EuroPro events.
“I didn’t have too long to wait before the play off was good, and both times it was just a nine iron from the tee and I was able to hole the putt in the second play-off hole.”
Hopefully this is the first of many wins as a professional for Garrick.