European Players Tour - North Hants 🌹

Tuesday 23rd of April - One Day event

A slight contrast in conditions at North Hants since I last played where it was 40 degrees, so just the 30 degree difference in temperature was more comfortable this time!

I have played here many times before so I was clear with my strategy on each hole. The course was in good condition with firm and fast greens considering the time of year. I was quickly exposed to the greens from the get go, hitting a 5 iron on the 1st from 194 yards 65ft past a front pin. I hit my 1st putt 12ft past the hole and managed to hole the return which felt like a very good par in the end. I played steady on the front 9, 2 birdies and 2 bogeys after a couple of small mistakes but I was setting up some good chances.

Some of the pin locations made it tricky to get to close to and I was hitting solid shots between 20ft to 30ft. The 11th hole was my biggest mistake of the day, I blocked my tee shot right and was fortunate to have a shot to the green over the trees with a wedge. The approach shot was 1 yard from being perfect but just caught the top of the bunker which left a tricky bunker shot.

The pin was on the slope and I hit my bunker shot 13ft above the hole, I had no way of stopping this putt unless it hit the hole. I proceeded to hit my putt 10ft past, then missed the return and walked off with a double from no where. Frustrating but I refocused on the next tee.

The 12th hole I responded well, hit a solid drive just down the right side, had 205 yards in the semi rough, my approach fell off the right side of the green with a 5 iron which left me a short sided tight lie chip shot over the bunker. It came out perfectly and it was in the hole from about 6ft out... birdie! Which was a great feeling to respond after the double on the previous hole. The 13th I pushed my drive down the right under the trees but I managed to punch an 8 iron from 76 yards through the gap between the bunkers at the front of the green to the front pin and rolled in my birdie putt from 12ft.

I finished the round very solid, setting up some decent chances but just couldn't quite convert so I finished at level par for the round and 2 shots off the winner.

My focus now turns to the Clutch Pro Tour starting at Heythrop Park next week with a run of 4 consecutive weeks. I'm very excited and grateful for this opportunity!

Many thanks for following, if you want to gain further insights I would love for you to join the RHG team!

Ryan