McGeady and Rice well down on Europro
Tim Rice (above) and Mick McGeady had a tough final day at Longhirst Hall. Picture: Thos Caffrey / www.golffile.ie
William Harrold beat Bradley Dredge in a play-off at Longhirst Hall to win his second HotelPlanner.com PGA EuroPro Tour title of the season.
As Mick McGeady (£250) closed with a 77 to finish tied 38th on eight over and Tim Rice (£170) shot 80 to end up 54th on 12 over in the Dawson and Sanderson Travel Classic, Harold and Dredge tied on three under par.
Dredge began the final round three behind Harrold but was four ahead of his playing partner by the time they reached the tee of the par-three 16th. However, the Welshman’s lead had evaporated 200 yards later.
While Harrold made birdie two-time European Tour winner Dredge made bogey. But in the process of carding his four had played off a temporary green marked GUR (ground under repair), for which he was penalised two strokes.
The Welshman learnt of his error on the 17th fairway, but undeterred made birdie to reclaim his lead.
On the par-fou 18th he hit his tee shot into the trees, took relief and was on the green in three. Harrold, who was on the green a shot quicker two-putted for par. Dredge had some distance to make up with his first putt and though he came close had to accept a bogey.
That left the pair tied on three under after Harrold signed for a final-round 76, four over par, and Dredge a one-over 73.
In the play-off Harrold made the 18th green in two but Dredge found a fairway bunker from the tee. He played out onto the fairway but his approach bounced off the green.
His fourth shot landed close to the pin, but Harrold had two putts to win and needed just one as he birdied the play-off hole to win the £10,000 top prize, a brand new Motocaddy trolley, and a Shotsaver range finder.
