Spain’s Benjamin Van Braak Hammer produced a blistering 7-under-par 63 in the final round to win the Carris Trophy at Northamptonshire County Golf Club.
A bogey-free 18 holes including two eagles – one of which came on the final hole, ensured a fantastic victory ahead of England Golf Boys’ Squad star George Whitehead.
Scotsman Aidan Lawson led by a shot heading into the final round, but slipped away after dropping five shots through 11 holes, while Van Hammer Braak, in the group ahead, stormed into the lead with a -5 front nine.
Whitehead, whose home club is Hillside in Lancashire, stayed in the mix, but a costly three-putt at the 11th, as Van Braak Hammer rolled in a birdie on the 12th – saw the Spaniard pull three shots clear.
Whitehead responded with two monstrous drives on 13 and 14, and up-and-downs yielded high-quality birdies to bring the deficit to just one – but two superb long-irons to the 18th green yielded a 15-foot eagle putt to seal victory for Van Braak Hammer.
The champion said: “On the 15th I found out I was leading and I got a bit nervous, so I tried to control my breathing and focus on executing my shots. The fairways were firm and fast, just like my home course in Spain, so I was able to get some good contact and I hit some good iron shots.
“It’s definitely the biggest tournament I’ve won to date, so I’m looking forward to going home to see my friends and celebrating!”
Van Braak Hammer’s -7 on the final day was the round of the day by far, taking him to -13 overall, while Whitehead (Hillside) was two back on -11. North Hants’ Albie Beeston enjoyed a tremendous final day with a 3-under 67 taking him to -6 overall and tied-3rd place alongside Italy’s Giampaolo Gagliardi and Scotsman Lawson.
Whitehead ended up taking home the Malcolm Reid Salver after enjoying the best combined score from the McEvoy Trophy and Carris Trophy, having won at Copt Heath and finishing second at Northamptonshire County.
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