Boldon-based Rhys Thompson got his 2023 season off to a superb start with a runaway victory in Portugal.
The former Durham County Matchplay Champion, who is attached to Slaley Hall, was in Portugal for a three-week run of events to kick off the season.
He hit top form in his third and final event of the trip, the Palmares Open IV, posting scores of 67 and 66 in the opening two rounds. He then cruised to victory with a comfortable closing two under-par round of 70 – finishing on 13 under-par and leading the field by six shots.
“I teed off the final round with a six-shot lead and I wanted to maintain that,” said Rhys. “The pressure was on and I didn’t want to take my foot off the gas and think about the lead too much.
“A change of wind direction made the course a little tougher, but I played really solid in the first two rounds, especially over the back nine and the par fives. I played great over the three days and I played quite well leading up to the event too, so it was nice to finish my trip with a win.”
