Daniel Whitby-Smith (Drayton Park Golf Club) secured the title of 2023 Midland Professional Champion and booked his place in the 2024 PGA Play-Offs.
As a result of bad weather, the first day of the tournament, due to be held at Moseley Golf Club, had been cancelled, leaving the tournament results to be decided over 18 holes at Harborne Golf Club om 21st September.
Whitby-Smith rose to the challenge with a super round of seven-under-par to win the event, finishing two shots ahead of Jordan Boulton (Wollaton Park), James Whatley (Morley Hayes Golf) and Andrew Willey (Oakmere Park).
“I’d never played here before, so I just tried to play it where I could see it,” said Whitby-Smith. “I’d heard a lot of good things about the golf course and I just hit my fairways, hit my greens, took advantage of the par 5’s, left myself a lot of wedge opportunities, and fortunately knocked quite a few in there close, so I’m really pleased.”
Having his father caddying for him during the event was certainly an added bonus for Whitby-Smith. He continued: “He does a little bit where he can - he tries to do some of the bigger events, and he’s just finished work actually so there’ll be the opportunity to do a few more - it’s nice having him on the bag, I like spending time with him and it seemed to work today!”
Having won the final Midlands Order of Merit tournament of the year, Whitby-Smith secured his spot in the 2024 PGA Play-Offs, which will be held at PGA National Cyprus at Aphrodite Hills Resort.
“I knew to get into the Play-Offs I probably needed a win, and it’s probably better if you know you’re already in Play-Off spots, as you’re trying to protect it a little bit, whereas today I had to go out there and try and win the event, but I did it so I’m really happy.”
In the 2023 PGA Play-Offs, Whitby-Smith finished runner-up and secured himself two DP World Tour starts at the Betfred British Masters and the ISPS Handa World Invitational.
“I really like Aphrodite Hills and obviously after having those two DP World Tour starts this year, that was what was driving me today really, having that experience playing on tour I wanted to do it again, so I knew I had to get myself back there to have the chance, and fortunately we managed it.”
