2024 Platinum
Barry Austin celebrated his 40th birthday early when he recorded his first ever Glenmuir PGA Professional Championship West Region qualifier victory at Saunton.
Austin, of the Downes Crediton club, came out on top after a four way tie at the top of the leader board.
Neil Holman, (Torbay), Matthew Griffiths (Oakdale) and Stuart Little (Minchinhampton) all shot one under part along with Austin.
But it was Austin who won on countback over the last six holes despite bogeying the 18th.
He was one of 16 qualifiers for the final which will be played over 72-holes at The Oxfordshire, from August 10-13 and is also supported by Peugeot and MPI Financial Services.
Austin has qualified for several finals over the years but, by his own admission, never performed on the big stage.
But he hopes his milestone birthday will signal a change in fortunes.
“I’m 40 next month so it would be nice to do well in the final this time,” he said.
“It’s not often I don’t qualify, but I never seem to go on and do anything, I think I’ve had about one top 20 finish.
“But I’d never actually won the qualifying event before this. I’m pleased with that, I could have won it outright after coming short on 18, but the most important thing is to qualify.”
Austin only had two blips all day - he double bogeyed the seventh after making two early birdies.
“I felt I was in control,” he admitted.
“It looked like it was going to be a perfect day for golf, but the wind actually made it a bit tricky out there.
“But when you start thinking about what sort of scores you might go on and make at the start, that’s when it can get difficult.
“It was a tight finish and there weren’t that many low scores, but I thought I played well.”
West Ham fan Austin hopes he will do better than the football team he supports when he plays The Oxfordshire.
“I’m not sure what’s going on there at the moment, but in recent seasons all we ever seem to be looking forward to is staving off relegation!” he said.
Notes to editors:
The Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) has been at the forefront of developing professional golf and promoting interest in the game since it was formed in 1901. Based at The Belfry, it has seven regional offices, represents 7,500 qualified professionals working in more than 60 countries worldwide and annually organises more than 900 golf tournaments and events. The PGA is also the trustee of the Ryder Cup Trophy and a partner in Ryder Cup Ltd.
Glenmuir is a brand right at the heart of golf. Preferred supplier to the European Ryder Cup team for 20 years, it also enjoys partnerships with The PGA, the PGAs of Europe, The European Tour, The Open Championship, and the English Golf Union. Glenmuir is official clothing supplier to the Golf Foundation, Ryder Cup Wales 2010, the SLGA, and the Golf Union of Wales.