Dynamic duo on song

THE annual Pearl Trophy match play competition came to a conclusion last weekend at the Royal Golf Club with the final taking place between defending champions Hanne and Claus Hansen and the young duo of Yaseen Le Falher and Sam Hobday.

Both teams have been in fine form this season with not much to choose between the two pairs.

The Pearl Trophy started back in October with 25 teams taking part. The final was played in testing windy conditions on the club’s challenging Montgomerie championship course and produced a memorable match.

With three holes to go in regulation play, Hanne and Claus managed to win the par 3 16th hole to bring the match to all square. The next hole was halved with 4s which meant it was all square down the last.

The famous 18th hole was playing down-wind which enabled Hanne to reach the green comfortably in two shots and make a great regulation par four under pressure.

Sam and Yaseen, therefore, had to make a birdie three to stay in the game. With both Sam and Yaseen on the green in two they were still in with a chance. Sam had a testing downhill birdie putt from 15 feet which he drained into the centre of the hole to take the match into a sudden death play-off.

The first play-off hole was halved in four strokes so the competitors then went on to the par 3 second hole which was playing into a strong wind. Yaseen was the only player who managed to hit the green in regulation but Claus made an excellent bogey four to put pressure on the young star. However, Yaseen produced a great downhill two putt to seal victory and win the 2016/2017 Pearl Trophy match play.

“In this event’s long history at the Royal Golf Club there won’t have been many more dramatic finals than the once produced today,” said Adam Dutson, the club’s Tournament Coordinator. “Congratulations to all four finalists. The final was played in great spirits and we look forward to hosting next year’s edition of the Pearl Trophy, with matches starting this October.”