Kinnear Celebrates Faldo Series Win at West Lancs

19-year-old Paul Kinnear won the second Faldo Series UK Championship of 2013 with a thrilling play-off victory over Jack Haines at West Lancashire Golf Club in Liverpool.

Kinnear (Formby) and 20-year-old Haines (Buckinghamshire) were both paired together in the Boys’ Under-21 division but could not be separated on four over par after 36 holes of regulation play.  Four extra holes were required to separate the players before Kinnear eventually triumphed in the sudden-death play-off.

“This win means a lot to me, especially as I lost a play-off here back in 2010.  That experience was really important as I was a lot less nervous this time,” said a delighted Kinnear.  “I can’t wait for the Grand Final now.  It will be great to meet Sir Nick and all the other winners.”

13-year-old Ryan Chadwick (Trentham), the youngest boy in the field, topped the Boys’ Under-16 division to seal his place in the 17th Faldo Series Grand Final, to be hosted by the six-time Major Champion later this year.

Three other age-group winners heading to the World Amateur Golf Ranking event are Adam Chapman from Windermere (Boys’ Under-18), leading girl Poppy Finlay from Vicars Cross (Girls’ Under-21) and Olivia Jackson of Oakdale (Girls’ Under-16).

Supported by The R&A, ISPS and the European Tour, the 2013 Faldo Series Europe schedule features a record 20 tournaments in 14 countries including six in England plus others in Ireland, Abu Dhabi, Chile, the Czech Republic, Scotland, Austria, Wales, Brazil, Italy, The Netherlands, Germany, Slovakia and Greece.

Established in 1996, 40 Faldo Series tournaments now take place in 30 countries worldwide with more than 7,000 golfers participating each year.  Past winners include Major Champions Rory McIlroy and Yani Tseng.

In September 2013, Faldo will begin taking students at a full-time residential academy for education and golf development in America.  The first ever Faldo Series Academy in Casa Grande, Arizona is also home to the Faldo Series USA and marks the next significant step in the programme’s history.

Leading final scores: Boys’ Under-21: 148 – Paul Kinnear (Formby) 73-75, Jack Haines (Buckinghamshire) 75-73; 150 – Joey Lamb (Wilpshire) 76-74, Louis Tomlinson (West Lancashire) 73-77, Kieran Waters (Carlisle) 74-76.  Boys’ Under-18: 152 – Adam Chapman (Windermere) 72-80; 154 – Harry Woan (Overstone) 76-78; 155 – Jack Hermeston (City of Newcastle) 74-81.  Boys’ Under-16: 157 – Ryan Chadwick (Trentham) 78-79; 158 – Matty Lamb (Hexham) 80-78, Daniel Croft (Huyton & Prescot) 79-79, Robert Durnan (Blundells Hill) 77-81.  Girls’ Under-21: 151 – Poppy Finlay (Vicars Cross) 77-74; 166 – Sophie Speariett (Formby) 86-80.  Girls’ Under-16: 163 – Olivia Jackson (Oakdale) 83-80; 165 – Eloise Healey (West Lancashire) 85-80.

For more information on the Faldo Series visit www.nickfaldo.com.