It Was Close, But David Wins It! - 09/06/2008

DAVID CLOSE was crowned champion of the 2004 Sky Sports East Lothian Masters to start his PGA EuroPro Tour season off in fine style at the Whitekirk GC.

Close, from Hornsea, had started the day one-over par but shot a two-under-par 70 to edge out David Fisher (Ellesborough) by one stroke.

The final day's play was delayed three times due to low lying mist but when the action resumed for a final time at 4.30pm it was Kevin Earp who stole the early headlines with a hole in one at the par-four second - remarkably the second time that feat was achieved during the tournament at the near-300 yard hole.

Even more unusual was that both Earp, and Rick Valentine, who also holed with his drive at the second during the first round, both had the same playing partner in Reading GC's Geoffrey Harris!

Eventual runner-up Fisher shot a final round 68, the best score of the day, after five birdies and only one bogey.

And Chris Kelly also fired himself in to the placings with a rollercoaster round which included five birdies and five bogeys whilst Scotsman Lee Rhind climbed in to the top three with a level par round.

But Close took the £10,000 first prize and was a happy man at the end of the day: "To start the season this well is really exciting, he said.

"It sets me up well for the rest of the summer and I'm looking forward to the next event at Tudor Park."

Pictured with David Close are Peter Little (Chief Executive, PGA EuroPro Tour) and George Tuer (Owner, Whitekirk GC).