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Fleetwood is champion after marathon playoff

Monday, 22 September 2008
Paula Benn
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Tommy Fleetwood (photo courtesy of Tom Ward)

Lancashire’s Tommy Fleetwood, won the English County Champions Tournament after a marathon five hole sudden death playoff against John Longcake from Cumbria.

The pair had finished tied on two under par 144 but couldn’t be separated over the first four extra holes, twice over the first and twice on the 18th of the Hotchkin Copurse at Woodhall Spa.

Then at the third time down the 361-yard first, Fleetwood secured his par four before Longcake took bogey after missing from seven feet having seen his approach plugged in a greenside bunker.

“It was a long time coming,” said 17 year old Fleetwood after collecting the trophy. “I should have won it earlier as I had enough chances. If I could have got the ball up to the hole I would have done.”

Longcake, who was looking for a national double after winning the English Mid Amateur a few weeks ago, was philosophical. “I was plugged in the trap but it was a tired swing that got me there.”

Fleetwood, who carded a second 72 for his 144, should have won the title in normal time. He had a four foot birdie putt on the 18th for a 71 but his putt lipped out.

The England boy captain had started the second round three strokes adrift of Longcake, who set the pace with 69. But the Cumbrian man added a 75 containing only one birdie and always felt his 144 wouldn’t be enough, and so it proved.