Oliver Wilson had to settle for second place again in the Italian Open at Castello di Tolcinasco on Sunday - his sixth runners-up finish and his third this season.
Six strokes adrift of winner South African Hennie Otto at the start of the closing round, it was always going to be an uphill struggle for Wilson.
But with a sparkling closing bogey-free eight under par 64, he closed the gap but finished just one
behind the winner.
Afterwards he said “Going out there I was six behind and just went out there to get second more than anything,.
“I got off to a good start and just played steady and nicely and got it going through the middle of the round. I didn’t quite hit it close enough on the last few holes to put real pressure on him, but I shot eight under so I can’t really complain.
“At the end of the day I want to win and I want to win badly but if I keep getting into contention it is only a matter of time before it happens. I have played great this week and I am sure it will not be long. There are some big tournaments coming up so we will see how I go in those.”
Things may have been better had he not bent his putter coming off the ninth green when he banged it into his bag, but he kept his composure, recording three birdies, one from 20 feet, using his wedge.
The result puts him in the top 10 on the European Tour for the first time and gives him his highest World ranking of 73.
This week he is at the Irish Open Adare Manor Hotel and Golf Resort.
l Coxmoor’s juniors set the course alight with some sparking golf during Sunday’s Kaye Shield.
Sam Hill ran away from the field, returning a nett 56 off 24 to win by four from Jack Darrington followed by Ashley Johnson and Ricky McNeil, both carding nett 66s.
Rob Kerr won the The Cantrill Trophy after a three was count back from Ricky McNeil and Heath Linacre, all with nett 67 with Linacre’s 70 taking the scratch prize.
In the Adams Cup John Barrett also needed a countback to take the honours with second place going to Mick Ellis, both with rounds of nett 64.
David and Robert Bell ran away with the Arthur Lineker Trophy at Coxmoor on Bank Holiday Monday, returning 81 points to win by five from Ivan Langton and Neil Shannon.
The Ladies’ event went to Liz Fisher and Emily-Mae Hall with 72 points - seven better than runners-up Zandra Alexander and Judy Wheatley.
The full article contains 459 words and appears in Ashfield Chad newspaper.
