Lee seals victory after last hole drama

Lee Gauthier claimed the South qualifying event of the PGA Assistants’ Championship at Laleham Golf Club in a tight finish.

Gauthier (pictured), of Badgemore Park Golf Club in Henley on Thames, finished the day with a birdie at the 18th to record a two-under-par round of 68 at the Surrey venue.

It meant he forced Ross Higham, of Godalming’s West Surrey Golf Club, into second place.

They will be joined by 19 other qualifiers at Coventry Golf Club for the £32,500 FootJoy-supported final on June 11-13.

Gauthier admitted that he intends to compete at the Midlands venue this year after being forced to miss out last year.

It has been a busy 12 months for 32-year-old Gauthier, who also took part in last year’s World Long Drive Championships in Nevada.

“I qualified for the PGA Assistants’ final but it was a strange year and I had to pull out,” he explained.

“I didn’t want to but it was such a busy year that I couldn’t play, but I’ll definitely be going this time.”

Gauthier took a two year break from golf - spending time building conservatories - before getting back into the game as a PGA Assistant.

He completed his final exams this year and now plans to concentrate on playing.

“I had been playing on the PGA Europro Tour for a number of years but it was tough financially and I lost a sponsor when times were hard,” he said.

“So I took a break for a couple of years, I played for fun but didn’t want the pressures of competing.

“I worked as a builder working on conservatories, but decided to enroll on the PGA course.

“It’s been difficult, but worthwhile and I can now look at the big picture again although I’m not sure which direction to take at the moment.”

Gauthier started the day well with a birdie at the first hole, but was held up by two bogeys at the 10th and 13th holes. However, two birdies in the last four holes put the Oxfordshire player back on track.