Jamie Howarth (Davenport Golf Club) spectacularly chipped in for birdie on the first play-off hole on the PGA Course at Bowood Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort to beat Andy Willey (Oakmere Park Golf Club) and Ben Amor (Ogbourne Downs Golf Club) and claim the title of 2024 English PGA Champion plus the £5,000 cash prize.
After three days’ play with rounds of 74, 69 and 68, Howarth was thrilled to take the title with such an epic shot. He said: “Wow, what a way to win. I actually hit a really good shot into the green and somehow it's gone long - maybe a bit of adrenaline - but I hit it really good and it's gone over the back, I was wondering whether to actually putt it or chip it, decided to chip it, played it absolutely perfect, landed it exactly where I wanted to, it was tracking, and luckily enough it found the bottom of the hole!”
Speaking on the week’s play, Howarth said: “I played pretty similarly all week. I shot a couple over on the first day, but the next two days, I maybe holed a few more putts. Today was just really steady, I didn't really get in trouble, just hit some nice shots, made a few birdies. I didn't really look at the leaderboard until 18, then saw that I had a chance, but it depended on the guys behind - luckily enough, I snuck the playoff win!
“It’s amazing to win - there's a really good field, a lot of good players, lads who I've played on the Challenge Tour with, who have played in majors and stuff like that. So, a really strong field and to come out on top is amazing.”
2024 is the fifth year that Bowood Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort have hosted the English PGA Championship and General Manager, Jeff Condliffe, explains how much it means: “It's fantastic, especially for the team - the greenkeeping team, the golf team, but also the members - having an event like this at the club is tremendous and just has a special feel.
"It sets the bar at a different level and it's worth the effort, we really look forward to it - it's a different week from the normal golf days and pay and play business. You have these great players playing the course as it should be played!
“I've worked with The PGA in previous venues and that partnership is so important. To have what is a really strong brand on the shirt and over the door - it raises our profile massively across the UK. We're not just a local club, we are known and people come from far and wide to actually play and enjoy the golf course, so it's really important to us and that relationship will continue.”
For the full results from the English PGA Championship, click HERE.
Check out the photos from the tournament HERE.
You might also like
The PGA
John Blanch (GM, Wentworth) – the importance of hiring PGA Members at golf facilities
John Blanch is a PGA Member who has spent much of his three decades in golf working abroad, where he has managed some of the biggest golfing complexes in the world. The 57-year-old has predominantly worked in…
