Butterfield Claims Owston Hall Title - 08/05/2008

ANDREW BUTTERFIELD led the field from start to finish to claim The Matchroom Golf Management Classic at Owston Hall GC.

The Chislehurst-attached 31 year-old shot rounds of 65, 67 and 66 to finish on 198 (18 under-par), two clear of Michael Welch.

A clean round including six birdies on the final day saw him over the winning line for the £10,000 pay-day, which lifts him in to the top ten of the PGA EuroPro Tour Order Of Merit, despite only having played in two events due to Challenge Tour commitments.

"I played well all week and not having been in the winner's circle for a while makes it feel great to be back, he said.

"I wasn't watching the leaderboard so I didn't know how well I was doing - even after I'd holed my final putt.

"But the money that I've won here will mean I can now play without having to worry about my finances, and that's a real boost."

Welch, attached to Hawkstone Park, shot a final round 65 to claim outright second place and a cheque for £5,000.

Three early bogeys were cancelled out by ten birdies and it wasn't until the 13th hole that he made par on the final day!

"My driving let me down this week - but my approach shots and putting have been awesome, he said.

Dutchman Inder Van Weerelt continued his fine maiden pro season with a share of third place on 12 under-par alongside Scot Graham Fox and Craig Billing, whilst American Lorne Kelly and amateur Justin Brown headed a group of five players a further shot back.

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