Woods Takes Title In Play-Off - 21/09/2007
MATTHEW WOODS has won his first title on the PGA EuroPro Tour after taking victory in the Wensum Valley International Open after a play-off. 
In a dramatic finish at the Norfolk course, Woods looked to have thrown away the lead he had held throughout the event when he slipped behind with a bogey on the 17th.
However, a birdie at the last set up a play-off with Damian Mooney, and Woods came through in the play-off to triumph in the first tournament of 2006.
"I'm delighted," said Woods, who carded 65, 71 and 74 for the tournament.
"I made hard work of it today and it was very sweet to hole the five-foot putt in the play-off."
After leading from the opening day, when he shot a brilliant 65, Woods found himself slipping back towards the pack during a tough third round.
He hit four bogeys and just two birdies in the front nine, and carded seven successive pars on the way back before three-putting at the 17th.
That left Damian Mooney, who shot a 70 on the final day, as the outright leader at -6 before Woods recovered with a birdie at the 18th to force the play-off.
Chris Hanson's excellent 67 on the final day saw him secure a share of third place - alongside Scottish rookie Graeme Brown - in his first professional event.
Hanson came through the reserve list to get into the tournament, but shot six birdies on the back nine to leap out to -5 for the event.
Daniel Gaunt and Michael Searle finished on -4, with former PGA EuroPro tour winners Joe Templer and Andrew Willey among four players sat a further shot back.
Four of the top five players were using the hand-held SkyCaddie systems, which are being utilised for the first time in competition in Europe on the 2006 PGA EuroPro Tour.
Mooney was the highest finisher, and SkyCaddie's bonus system means that he will receive free entry into the next PGA EuroPro Tour event, the Verde Golf Azores Championship.
Following another successful tournament at Wensum Valley, course owner Basil Todd has signed a contract to stage PGA EuroPro Tour events in 2007 and 2008.
"The event was an even bigger success this year," said PGA EuroPro Tour Managing Director Eddie Hearn. "The locals are really getting behind the tournament and the course is improving all the time.
"I really respect Basil Todd for his investment into the future of golf. We can't wait to return next year and thank him and his staff for making this a superb start to the 2006 season.."
| 1 | Matthew Woods | Newbury Golf Centre | -6 | 210 | 65,71,74 | £10,000 | | 2 | Damian Mooney | Nevada Bobs Belfast | -6 | 210 | 68,72,70 | £5,000 | | 3= | Chris Hanson | Crosland Heath/Primetime | -5 | 211 | 73,71,67 | £2,100 | | Graeme Brown | Scotland | -5 | 211 | 70,71,70 | £2,100 | | 5= | Daniel Gaunt | Superior Designs | -4 | 212 | 71,73,68 | £1,300 | | Michael Searle | Woodbury Park | -4 | 212 | 70,69,73 | £1,300 | | 7= | Four Players | | -3 | 213 | | |
The PGA EuroPro Tour returns with The Verde Golf Azores Championship, which will take place at Batalha GC from 11-13 May.
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