Kent professional Max Orrin mastered the ‘toughest conditions I have ever played in’ to secure the second European Challenge Tour win of his young career at the Made in Denmark Challenge.
The 21 year old from North Foreland posted a level par 71 in brutal conditions at Royal Copenhagen Golf, with swirling, gusting winds wreaking havoc up the final round contenders.
Starting the day three shots off the pace, Orrin battled brilliantly throughout the final round to produce a brilliant level par 71 which saw him post the clubhouse lead of one over par.
With four groups to finish behind him, and with Scotland’s Andrew McArthur and Englishman Jack Senior still in with a chance of forcing a play-off, Orrin faced an anxious, but worthwhile, wait to be crowned Made in Denmark Challenge champion and pick up a cheque for €27,200 which propels him to second place on the Road to Oman Rankings.
“That was as tough as I have played in – it was pretty brutal out there at times,” said Orrin, who was a member of the 2013 Walker Cup team.
“I finished with a seven on the last hole of the third round and I knew that if I could shoot around level par for the final round that I would have a chance. I was three behind, but the conditions were really tough, so it was just one of those days where I hung in there and managed to make a score.
“There is definitely an extra satisfaction in winning in such tough conditions and on such a tough golf course so I am definitely going to enjoy the victory. It’s been a great day for me – I feel that score earned me the win. There was no place to hide out there, so there are a lot of positives to take from the week.”
Orrin will now focus his season on the Challenge Tour, which, following his victory in Denmark, now represents the most logical path for him to take in his journey to The European Tour. “To get a win so early in the season is a big positive as well. It gives me a great chance to go and get my European Tour card through the Challenge Tour so I’ll be probably focussing on that for the rest of the season. Because it’s only the fourth tournament of the season and I have got myself up to the top of the Rankings early, it feels I can have a great run at making my card so hopefully the wins and top fives can keep coming.”