Sam Forgan surged to the top of the regional order of merit thanks to a one-shot victory in the East Anglian Open at Ingrebourne Links.
Forgan, a professional at Felixstowe Ferry Golf Club, mastered the field and also the elements in recording a battling success.
The Suffolk golfer shared the halfway lead with Paul Maddy (Gog Magog) after both men fired fine opening rounds of 69 over the impressive and challenging Essex lay-out.
But in day two conditions that were initially blustery before heavy rain set in, it was Forgan that stood strong in pole position.
He made three birdies countered by a couple of dropped shots on the front nine to turn for home in sole possession of top spot at four-under-par.
There were a couple of setbacks on the homeward stretch, including bogies at the 12th and 14th. But Forgan (pictured) responded with a fine birdie at the 16th, fizzing a pitch from 80 yards to 10 feet before draining the putt.
That restored his one-stroke advantage at the summit after he’d been briefly joined by Neil Mitchell (Thetford) and Glen Portelli (Old Fold Manor).
Playing in the final group, Forgan went on to preserve his slender lead but not without a late scare. He pushed his closing tee-shot into wispy grass and was grateful when it was located by somebody walking with the last trio.
Forgan took no chances from there as he coolly plotted his way to 15 feet from where he safely two-putted to secure the win. A second-round 72 left him on a 141 total of three-under-par, good enough for his third triumph in order of merit tournaments.
Forgan, 33, said: “It was one of those where I sort of rode my luck a little bit throughout the day. I was looking for a ball on 18 and thankfully we found it. I chopped it out and made par, but there was a few of those.
“It just never felt like it was safe until it actually was over. There were a couple of shots where I was a couple of yards or so from a bush. It’s fine margins and definitely it kind of went my way.”
Mitchell (pictured) clinched second spot – his best-ever finish in an order of merit event – after rounds of 73 and 69.
He assessed: “Two very good days. I had good control over the ball flight, was good mentally and putted well.”
Portelli, Jason Levermore (Little Channels Golf Centre) and Luke Goddard (Hendon) tied for third on one-under.
Forgan holds a slender lead over Goddard in the race to win the overall order of merit crown with Mark Talbott (Upminster) back in third place. The final order of merit event will take place at The Shire London on August 30-31.
PHOTO CAPTION - Sam Forgan is presented with the East Anglian Open trophy by Ingrebourne Valley chairman John Pryor
