Matthew Cort got his hands on the PGA Professional Championship trophy following a playoff victory over Daniel Whitby-Smith at Slaley Hall.
The final day field was met with wind and rain in the afternoon at Slaley, but the weather did not deter Drayton Park-based Daniel, who raced to six under-par for the day through nine. Four bogies on the final nine holes slowed his progress, but a four under-par round, which was the best of the day, earned him a spot in the playoff.
Matthew was tied at the top at the halfway stage of the championship and after a level-par round on day three, he too produced a fantastic final round of three under-par before coming out on top in the playoff.
“Winning this event is right up there at the top for me,” said Matthew. “I’ve done well in other PGA events and this ticks another one off.”
With the win, Matthew also earned a place in the GB&I PGA Cup team, which faces the USA in the Ryder Cup-style match at Foxhills in September.
Meanwhile, Hartlepool’s Alex Wrigley was the top North East-based player in the field in a tie for ninth place as Wynyard’s James Harper finished in a tie for 20th place.
