Sussex tour pro Peter Tarver-Jones won the EuroPro Tour’s Matchroom Sport Tour Championship following a sudden-death play-off to seal an immediate return to the Challenge Tour.
The 28 year old from Worthing Golf Club shot a course record 63 to join Aberdovey’s Richard James on 13 under par at the end of the final tournament of the season at Desert Springs Resort in Spain.
Despite a difficult lie, Tarver-Jones nailed his approach on the first additional hole to within four feet, and held his nerve to take the title, and a £20,000 winner’s cheque which propelled him to second on the Race To Desert Springs Order of Merit.
With the season now complete, the top five on the tour standings earned a category on next year’s Challenge Tour. Matthew Cort (Beedles Lake) was among four players tied third on -11, and consolidated his long-standing place at the top of the money list. Curtis Griffiths (Wentworth) took third place on the rankings, with James fourth and Mark Laskey (Brocket Hall) completing the top five. James also won the Rookie of the Year trophy after collecting a runners-up cheque for £10,000.
However, there was agony for Billy Hemstock (Teignmouth). Having twice previously finished seventh on the Order of Merit, this year he missed out on the top five by a shade over £600.
For Tarver-Jones though, there was only delight. Two years ago he sealed promotion to the Challenge Tour via the EuroPro Tour Order of Merit, but returned this summer after a disappointing 2015. But he was able to win when it mattered and closed out the season by earning an immediate return to Europe’s second tier.
“My heart is pounding,” he said, shortly after making the winning putt. “I was aggressive today, I had no option but to be. I had played really well in the second round, but didn’t hole anything, whereas today I holed a few putts. I was quite a way ahead of the leaders, so they had quite a few holes left, but at 15 I saw the leaderboard and knew I was tied with Joe Dean for the lead.
“I was disappointed with last year on the Challenge Tour, but I learnt so much, so to get the opportunity to do it again, I am really excited for it. Qualifying School is coming up as well so, who knows, if I can ride the momentum I may be able to get onto the European Tour.”
Highlights of the Tour Championship will air on Sky Sports on November 1.