Two titles in as many weeks for Horsfield
SAM HORSFIELD clinched his second European Tour title this month at the Celtic Classic on a weather-interrupted final-day.
Play ended in near darkness after rain and the threat of lightning sent everyone scurrying for cover for two hours at Celtic Manor.
Horsfield, below, went on to claim victory by two shots from Belgium’s Thomas Detry after a bogey-free 67.
A quick second UK Swing win to follow his maiden victory at the Hero Open at the Forest of Arden two weeks ago underlined the Florida-based Englishman’s promise.
The victory means he is now almost certain to win the mini Order of Merit for the UK Swing and has secured a place in the US Open at Winged Foot next month.
Horsfield, 23, said: “I never felt nervous this time, I guess because of what went through two weeks ago.
“My aim was to get through without a bogey today and I managed to do that.”
He stayed clear of second-placed Detry throughout, while Andrew ‘Beef’ Johnston finished tied for third alongside another Belgian, Thomas Pieters, and overnight leader Connor Syme, of Scotland.
Meanwhile, Stacy Lewis ended a three-year winless run on the LPGA Tour with a play-off victory at the ASI Ladies Scottish Open.
The former world No1 birdied the first extra hole to win a four-way play-off at the Renaissance Club.
Lewis holed from 18 feet to secure the 13th LPGA title of her career after finishing tied on five under par with fellow American Cheyenne Knight, Spain’s Azahara Munoz and Denmark’s Emily Pedersen.
Lewis, who won the 2013 Women’s British Open at St Andrews, began the day a shot behind Munoz but made the ideal start with birdies on the second and third.
She double-bogeyed the 11th as three birdies in the first seven holes gave American Jennifer Song the lead. But Song played her last 10 in five over.
Lewis said: “I was pretty in control through 10 holes and then one funky swing brought everybody back into it.
“I felt fortunate to get in the play-off and then hit a great second shot there that set up that putt.”
Overnight leader Munoz, who carded a final-round 73, said: “I’m proud of myself. Obviously it was a tough day and I didn’t have a good start.
“I got pretty unlucky on No6. I got a plugged lie in the bunker so I had to take an unplayable. But I fought hard. I made some really nice putts coming in and that’s all you can do.”