Daniel Croft captured the Leeds Cup after putting together back-to-back 65s for a two-shot win over Matthew Tottey and Paul Kinnear.
With five holes remaining any one of five players could have landed the oldest trophy in professional golf but it was 26-year-old Croft who came through in style.
The crucial moment came when Croft birdied the 16th which put him two clear, at the same time Tottey was dropping a shot at the last, and the Liverpudlian then produced two up-and-downs to cap a memorable win.
“This is the biggest thing that I’ve ever won. The Leeds Cup is obviously very historic and it means a lot, I’ve played in it the last few years and I’ve always wanted to win it. I’ve done alright here and I was fourth last year but I’ve never quite pulled it off," explained Croft who completed his PGA training in 2020.
“My game has been good and I’ve been in a good space for a while and it’s all come together the past two days. But it was hard work and was tight all the way. We had a good group with Paul and Jamie Howarth and it was a nice atmosphere all day. It was very competitive and we were all in it all day but we were all encouraging one another after a good shot.
“The wedge into 16 to take a two-shot lead was big. But as soon as Paul left himself a wedge in to 17 I knew that he would make a birdie which closed the lead to one again. My up-and-down at 17 was tricky but I played a little bump-and-run across the green and I managed to chip and putt at the last as well.
“I was nervous playing the last but I was also excited as there was a chance to win. I thought that I had hit a great shot to the 18th but it came up a bit short. I said to myself walking up the hill ‘how many times have you got up and down in your life?’ - just do it again.”
This is the biggest thing that I’ve ever won. The Leeds Cup is obviously very historic and it means a lot, I’ve played in it the last few years and I’ve always wanted to win it.
- Daniel Croft - PGA Professional
Tottey finished with back-to-back 66s while Kinnear, who might have taken things into another play-off after doing likewise last year, had he been able to hole a 30-footer at the last, would sign for a 67.
Croft, who qualified for The Open at Royal St George’s in 2021, grew up playing at Huyton & Prescot in Liverpool and he likened that to this week’s test at what is also known as Cobble Hall.
“Huyton & Prescot is fiddly with small greens, you have to poke it into position and you don’t hit a lot of drivers and this is a similar version of there. I’m not the longest hitter but my accuracy is a strength and my putting has held up really well this week – I’ve holed out well and I’ve knocked in a few nice putts. I didn’t make many mistakes and I took my chances when they came.
“I’m probably not that impressive to watch but my course management is pretty good. I’m very methodical on and off the course. I’ve been playing full time the last couple of years after qualifying for The Open and I’ve been doing a bit of coaching this year. It’s been quite a tough year and I’ve lost some sponsorship so this is a really nice feeling.”
