Cort finishes with a flourish

MATTHEW Cort (Beedles Lake) had a scintillating final flourish on his last two holes in the first of a new series of PGA Opens when he finished tied in third in the Manchester Open at Worsley Park GC.

There will be seven of these Opens in the regions in a new initiative by the PGA to promote more playing opportunities for professionals.

Cort opened with a one-under 70 on the opening day and was tied in 19th place.

But in round two he was out in level par with three birdies and three dropped shots.

Then the drama began. He birdied 13, bogeyed 16, before another birdie at 17 and then fired an eagle three at the par 5 last for a three-under 68 and improve his position in the strong field.

His four-under 138 saw him in a three-way tie for third.

Cort said: “I was pleased to finish strongly. It moved me up the leaderboard well. For my eagle at 18, I hit a driver, 7-wood second to 30 feet and rolled in the putt.”

Australian Aaron Cox (Blackwell Grange) won by two strokes with his seven-under 135 after his 71 and 64 rounds.

Cort competed in Manchester immediately after the delayed PGA Play-Offs in Ireland.

He ended 7th in the 54-holes tournament with his one-under 71-7173-215 total at the Slieve Russell Golf and Country Club, near Dublin.

THE busy spell at Rothley Park GC continued with another range of competitions for men and women members.

Robin Dent with his 73 net card won the Senior Bowl from Dermot Hollingsworth 75 net second on local rule from Nick Darlison.

Macauley Poole (25) won the Tuesday medal after a tie with Ian Longden (6) on 69 net resolved on countback, with James Gamble (4) third on 70 net. The scratch award went to Alex Frith for his 73 card.

Archie Gardner finished 7 up in winning the Hartopp Cup – singles against par tournament.

Alex Rennie (3-up) was second on countback from James Wilson. Tom Hoy won the scratch with his 1 down return.

Darren Gilbert and Adam Collier on 67 net won the Harris Spring foursomes medal. Tim Porte and Andrew Search (69 net) were runners-up, Jim Stockill and Neil Walton on 70 net third. Tom and Mike Hoy won the scratch with their 79 round.

A ladies’ Stableford was won by Alison Court with 36 points from Kate MacKay (35) and Rita Fricker on 34 pts.

Ronnie Porte (71 net) won a ladies’ medal from Penny McCorie (74 net) with Jenny Piecha (76 net) in third.