Stunning finish gives Cunningham Jamega victory

Nick Cunningham picked up six shots in the final six holes to claim a first Jamega Pro Golf Tour title.

The 21-year-old from Bedford struck four birdies and an eagle on the 16th in a barnstorming second-round finish at Leatherhead Golf Club to win by a shot from Reece Phillips.

It looked a challenge too far when Cunningham was level par and four strokes behind leader and eventual third-place finisher Simon Griffiths on the 13th tee. And the task was made even tougher with the consistent Phillips not dropping a shot over the final 24 holes with rounds of 71 and 66.

But a series of pinpoint approach shots meant Cunningham didn’t have to sink any putts longer than 10 feet as he matched Phillips’ second round 66 for a six under par 136 - even lipping out from a hole-in-one on the last.

“I was minus 10 for the final eight holes over both days which helped,” he said. “I had a bad patch through the middle of the second round and had to have a word with myself, but after that is went dreamy-well.”

“I didn’t write myself off. I had already proved I could pick up shots over the closing holes because I’d done it the day before. I just had to go and do it again.

“The holes are quite short, but not easy. I had to adopt an aggressive mind-set. The eagle on 16 was important. I hit a driver and an eight iron to 10ft and holed out.

“I played in Open qualifying last week with European Tour player Chris Paisley and the only difference in our games was his proximity to the hole with his approach shots.

“I spoke to my coach, Steve Vinnicombe, and we worked on specific drills and targets and it’s paid off.”

Cunningham, who first picked up the clubs aged four, is only in his second year as a professional but finds the mental side easier to handle than amateur competition.

“I prefer playing for money,” he adds. “I found handicap golf a lot more stressful which probably seems odd, but I’d suggest it’s the right way around for anyone who wants to turn professional.

“I plan to stick with the Jamega Tour this year - it’s really well run and friendly compared to other events - and I’m planning for the European Tour qualifying school in the autumn.”

The win takes Cunningham to sixth on the Jamega Tour order of merit, with David Dixon regaining the overall lead after finishing tied for eighth.

The Jamega Tour now moves on to Telford on July 14-15.

Final Leaderboard

1st 136 -6 Nick Cunningham (70, 66)
2nd 137 -5 Reece Phillips (71, 66)
3rd= 138 -4
·         Simon Griffiths (69, 69)
·         Jon White (72, 66)
5th = 139 -3
·         Ben Loughrey (70, 69)
·         Zane Scotland (69, 70)
7th 140 -2 Dale Whitnell (71, 69)
8th= 141 -1

·         Jack Hiscock (71, 70)
·         David Dixon (74, 67)
10th 142 Level Charlie Lidyard (71, 71)

2015 Tour winners to date:

• April 27-28. Machynys. David Dixon (-2)
• May 5-6. Dummer. Craig Hinton (-8)
• May 11. Mentmore. Tyler Hogarty (-8)
• May 18: The Bedfordshire. Martin Sell (-7)
• June 1. The Shire. James Ruebotham (-1)
• June 8. The Players Club. Lloyd Kennedy (-9)
• June 15. Calcot Park, Jon White (-4)
• June 29. The Wychwood, Craig Hinton (-7)
• July 6, The Leatherhead, Nick Cunningham (-6)