GRANT MY LAST REQUEST
Forrest denies Hill one week... then inspires him to maiden win the next
CALUM HILL captured his first Tour title to seal a Scots double then revealed the pal who kept him waiting helped inspire it.
The 26-year-old held his nerve to clinch the Cazoo Classic by a shot as a 67 sent him to 16-under 272 at the London Club in Kent.
Five back-nine birdies in a row saw Alex Levy post a 64 to threaten on 15 under as the Frenchman was left to wait five holes for Hill to par the last and prevent a play-off in the European Tour event.
Just a week earlier he had teed up in St Andrews in a share of the Hero Open lead with mate Grant Forrest.
Hill finished the day tied for fourth, albeit the Kirkcaldy pro’s disappointment did not stop him starting the party by drenching Forrest on 18.
Hill said: “Grant sent me a really nice text message saying, ‘You’re a really good player and it won’t be long before it’s your time’.
“I didn’t really expect that, so it was a nice touch. It’s nice to get messages from your friends and peers like that
“It feels brilliant and I’m delighted to win my first Tour victory. I’m happy with how I managed to play my last nine holes and I am really proud of what I managed to do.
“This week I wouldn’t say I was in as good a position as last. But it’s hard to win a golf tournament and I am just very happy with how I played.
“It’s cool also to know Grant and I are the first Scots to win back to back in some time and even better as we’re both with Bounce Sports Management. They’ll be delighted with that”
The last time Scots won consecutive Tour events was nine years ago when Paul Lawrie took the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles then a week later Richie Ramsay won the Omega European Masters.
Hill walked from 18 to be handed his mobile with girlfriend Miranda on the other end but she was screaming so much, she handed her phone to a pal.
He was in the final group again yesterday but this time had to overturn a three-shot deficit from Dane Rasmus Hojgaard, who enjoyed a magical 62 on moving day.
Hill has three Challenge Tour wins to his name but this victory secures his place on the top circuit and should move him into the top 100 in the world for the first time.
He added: “This is the start and hopefully I can keep pushing on from here and see where I can take it.
“I managed to manage my emotions pretty well and stay in each shot and not get ahead of myself. I definitely felt the pressure but managed to keep control of it.”
Hojgaard (72), English duo Richard Bland (68) and Callum Shinkwin (66), and Wales’ Jamie Donaldson (67) were tied third on 14 under as Richie Ramsay (70) bagged a share of ninth on 11 under.