Webber wins at John O’Gaunt

James Webber (Three Rivers G&CC) birdied his final two holes to land the John O’Gaunt Pro-Am in thrilling style.

Webber, 25, got up and down from sand at his last to shoot a three-under-par 68 and win the East region’s richest pro-am.

The Essex ace trailed long-time leader and fellow Three Rivers trainee PGA professional David Salisbury by a single shot as he walked to the eighth – his 17th.

Webber made a three there, thanks to rolling home a 12-footer and then completed the job by picking up another stroke at his closing hole, a par-5. He hit a 5-iron into a greenside trap but splashed out to six feet before making a clutch putt.

There was still a slightly anxious wait to see if that was good enough as Simon Lilly (Staverton Park) was in hot pursuit. He’d got it to two-under with 17 and 18 to play but was unable to secure a further birdie and just missed out on claiming a share of the spoils.

Webber said: “It was nice to get it done. This was the first time that I’ve played the course and I thoroughly enjoyed it. As did the amateurs I played with – they said they’ll always go back.

“Hopefully, the win has come at the right time with two Order of Merit tournaments next month.”

Darren Charlton (Dunstable Downs) and Mark Talbott (Thorpe Hall) both tied for fourth spot after shooting one-under-par 70s.

There were over 50 professionals accompanying teams under largely sunny spring skies and Danny Field (East Herts) led the wining quartet on count-back from Jason Churchley’s (John O’Gaunt) after both had finished on a 128 total.