Play-off glory for Evans as MacGarvie dominates at Goswick Links

01/07/2025

Sian Evans triumphed in a dramatic play-off to win the Women’s PGA Professional Championship, while Hazel MacGarvie claimed a dominant victory in the Women’s PGA Assistants’ Championship at Goswick Links.

The flagship event on the WPGA calendar returned to the Northumberland coastline, where the traditional links course at Goswick, just outside Berwick-upon-Tweed, provided a stunning backdrop for two days of competitive golf under clear blue skies.

Evans fired back-to-back rounds of 73 to eventually force a play-off with Tracey Boyes after a tightly contested finish. Boyes had opened with an impressive 2-under 70, but a second-round 76 allowed Evans to close the gap and draw level.

Tied at 2-over, the pair returned to the 18^th tee for what would be a gripping play-off that stretched over four replays. Ultimately, Evans sealed victory with a long-range birdie putt, while Boyes could only manage a par.

Reflecting on her win, Evans said:

"It's surreal, I'm a bit shocked actually. It's amazing as it's something I've always wanted to win and I've been close a couple of times. It feels really good."

Evans recalled the tense play-off sequence: after parring the first hole, she birdied the second, followed by another par on the third. Then, on the fourth attempt, she calmly rolled in a striking 35-footer for birdie.

"I just wanted to stay calm. I had a bad patch in round one where I made a triple and a couple of bogeys and I panicked a little bit. Today I came out and I just wanted to be calm and play my game. I knew it was going to be a bit tougher today with the wind swirling in different directions so I just wanted to make plenty of pars. I had to be patient."

A 2024 WPGA Cup trio of Heather MacRae, Suzanne Dickens and Holly Morgan – who lifted the trophy in this event in 2024 – missed out on play-off action by just one stroke.

Running concurrently, Royal Troon trainee MacGarvie delivered a dominant performance in the Women’s PGA Assistants’ Championship. After opening with a 3-under 69 in round one - including three consecutive birdies at 4, 5 and 6 - MacGarvie repeated that same score in round two to post a 6-under total and cruise to the title.

"It feels really good," said MacGarvie.

"I stuck to the plan, found fairways and greens and holed some putts.

"I had a couple of early bogeys but I managed to steady my game - overall it was a great day and I'm feeling really good.

"Most holes today were played in crosswinds so it's sometimes difficult to find lines off the tee and into greens. I missed a couple of greens but managed to get up and down.

"This win definitely helps my confidence going into the rest of the season. It's nice to get a win in early, hopefully kick on and keep playing well and get plenty of practice in before the next event."

The Scot’s second round featured a steady, level-par front nine with two birdies and two bogeys, before finding an eagle at the par-5 11th. Despite a bogey at 12 threatening to derail her momentum, MacGarvie responded in style with birdies at both 14 and 17.

Emily Slater clinched second place, whilst defending champion Holly Haslam struggled to replicate her form from last years' event, finishing tied for third with Libby Bell.

To see the full, final leaderboard for the Women’s PGA Professional and Assistants' Championship, click here.