One-Under-Par Is Enough For Holmes - 21/04/2008

JAMES HOLMES claimed his first title as a professional by finishing the 888.com European Trophy as the ONLY player under par at the conclusion of the three-day event.

26 year-old Holmes, from Crewe, picked up the £10,000 first prize with a remarkable one-under-par score of 215 after battling his way through testing weather conditions to edge out the rest of the field.

His final day total of 73 (one-over-par) proved enough to hold off the challenge of Michael Welch (Hawkstone Park) who finished a single shot behind.

Holmes birdied the sixth but a bogey at the next and at the 14th took him back over par for the event.

"This is my first pro win and I've been playing really well over the back half of this season so I'm delighted, he said.

"I played the windy conditions nicely and chipped and putted well - that was the key.

"At the end it was like Matchplay but Michael bogeyed the 15th and 16th where I holed a crucial putt.

"I'm pleased with the way I'm playing and I'm up to third on the Order of Merit now so I'm going to work hard to stay in the top five and get a Challenge Tour spot for next year.

Welch had reached the turn in the lead, but four bogeys on the back nine saw him slip back and he had to be content with £5,000 for the runner-up spot.

Colm Moriarty (Glasson Golf Hotel & CC) finished in outright third on 217 (one-over-par) after picking up shots at both the last two holes, whilst Andrew Willey (Nottingham City/Tiny Dog Records), Ciaran McMonagle (Dunfanaghy) and Jack Doherty (Vale of Glamorgan) tied for fourth on 218.  

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