European riches for winner Watson (From Bournemouth Echo)

European riches for winner Watson

7:07pm Thursday 22nd October 2009 in

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BOURNEMOUTH Alliance captain Michael Watson was crowned the PGA’s number one player of 2009 at the Srixon PGA Play-Offs at Little Aston today.

The Wessex Golf Centre professional produced an array of golfing fireworks sinking six birdies in the final seven holes for a seven-under-par 65 to win the tournament and open the door to the European Tour.

Watson, who also won £2,000, can now look forward to taking on some of Europe’s best players after his victory in the West Midlands as he secured invites to the BMW PGA Championship, The European Open, Welsh Open and Scottish Open and a handful of Challenge Tour events.

Joining him will be Dore and Totley professional Neil Cheetham, who finished second to add the European, Scottish and Welsh Opens to his schedule having already secured a place in the BMW PGA Championship by virtue of winning the North Region Order of Merit.

Following his win Watson said: “I can’t believe it really. This is fantastic and the best thing I’ve done as an individual in my PGA career. Now I’ve got to reschedule my diary. I last played Wentworth in 2000 and I can’t wait as it’s the biggest and best event on the European Tour.

“Scotland will be nice, especially given where it is. Wales I’ve played before and then there’s the European Open so I cannot wait.”

Srixon PGA Play-offs, Little Aston Golf, top results: 137 (-7) Michael Watson (Eng) Wessex 72 65, 2 138 (-6) Neil Cheetham (Eng) Dore & Totley 68 70, 3= 140 (-4) Craig Shave (Eng) Whetstone 75 65, John Kelly (IRE) St Margaret’s 74 66, Andrew Raitt (Eng) St Georges Hill 70 70, David Higgins (Ire) Waterville 69 71.

Fellow Dorset professional Lee James, meanwhile, successfully negotiated the halfway cut in the penultimate European Challenge Tour of the season.

The Broadstone touring professional added a second round 70 to an opening 71 for a three-under-par total in the Italian Federation Cup.

James is joint 30th - eight shots behind leader Edoardo Molinari.