Harper Storms To Title - 26/06/2007

EAST DEVON'S Kevin Harper has won The PrimeTime Recuitment Championship at Marriott Hollins Hall by one shot following a sensational finish to the PGA EuroPro Tour event.

Harper came through the field on the final day with a stunning 66, with an eagle at the 14th being followed by two birdies as he edged out Warren Bennett by one shot.

Overnight leader Matt Morris saw his four-shot lead slip away as he recorded four bogeys in a two-over-par 73 to finish three shots adrift of Harper.

"I've had a third and fourth place this year and made the cut something like ten times, but it's great to finally get over the finishing line first!" said Harper.

"I had two solid rounds - the second round could have been special but I was very pleased with four-under-par on Thursday.

"I was consistent at the start today with eight birdies before chipping in at the ninth.

"I was playing with Warren Bennett and we fed off each other. He made a few birdies and then I managed to get the momentum. It was a great battle.

"The deciding hole was probably the 14th. It's a par four where you can drive the green and I went for it.

"It came off and I made an eagle and followed that with birdies and 16 and 17."

Bennett recovered from a hitting double bogey seven at the third hole to level his round with birdies at the seventh and eighth holes.

Although he dropped a shot at the ninth, the former European Tour player hit six birdies on the back nine to keep the pressure on Harper until the finish.

Harper's win takes the 24-year-old up to sixth on the PGA EuroPro Tour Order of Merit, only six months after turning professional.

"I went into Tour School as an Amateur but got through both stages pretty comfortably and then decided to turn professional," he said.

"It's been on the card for a couple of years but I put it off due to injury and illness, but it's a great stepping stone.

"If I can get into the top five after the Tour Championship I will get a Challenge Tour card, and there's the European Tour Qualifying School to come too.

"I've had a tidy year and been consistent and hopefully I can keep it up.

"I didn't know what to expect on the tour, but knew a lot of guys from being an Amateur and the PGA EuroPro Tour is getting stronger every year."

Morris began his final round with a birdie, but three dropped shots in four holes before the turn dented his challenge.

He added a further bogey at the 16th to signal and end to his challenge before picking up a final birdie at the 17th.

Morris finished at -8 alongside Daniel Wardrop, who shot seven birdies in the day's best round of 65.

Paul Doherty was a shot behind, with five players finishing the tournament at -6.

The Prime Time Recruitment Championship - Final Result