Daniel Brooks wins Madeira Islands Open

Daniel Brooks claimed his first European Tour title at the Madeira Islands Open in an event overshadowed by the on-course death of Alastair Forsyth's caddie

Daniel Brooks
Daniel Brooks claimed his first European Tour title at the Madeira Islands Open

Daniel Brooks claimed his first European Tour title at the Madeira Islands Open in an event overshadowed by the death of Alastair Forsyth's caddie

Daniel Brooks claimed his first European Tour title at the Madeira Islands Open in an event overshadowed by the death of Alastair Forsyth's caddie.

Iain McGregor collapsed on the 9th hole of the undulating Santo da Serra golf course and was confirmed dead after suffering a suspected heart attack.

After consultation with players and event organisers, the tournament - which had already been reduced to 36 holes due to heavy fog - resumed at 6pm local time.

Forsyth later defended the decision to continue while paying his respects to his late bagman.

He said: "Myself and playing partners Adam (Gee) and Tano (Goya) met tournament officials and spoke to (chief executive) George O'Grady on the phone before taking the decision to play-on because we felt that was what Mac would have wanted.

"Everybody is in shock. To see that happen to someone in front of your eyes - I don't know how or when you get over that.

"He was far too young for this to happen. He was the life and soul of the caddies' lounge and a nice guy who will be sorely missed. I'm absolutely numb."

Brooks set the clubhouse target on nine-under-par after a closing 67, but was caught by Scott Henry, who birdied his last three holes to force a play-off.

The Scotsman, though, three-putted the first extra hole, handing Brooks a somewhat sombre maiden victory on the circuit.

“It’s great to get a win, but it’s not nice to do it in these circumstances,” he said.

"It’s horrible what happened out there so my condolences go out to all of his family."

Madeira Islands Open - Portugal - BPI

Clube de Golf do Santo da Sierra

May 8-11, purse €600,000, par 72

1) Daniel Brooks (ENG) 68-67 = 135 €75,000 2) Scott Henry (SCO) 67-68 = 135 €50,000 T3) Jordi Garcia Pinto (ESP) 69-69 = 138 €21,375 T3) Julien Guerrier (FRA) 69-69 = 138 €21,375 T3) Antonio Hortal (ESP) 69-69 = 138 €21,375 T3) Fabrizio Zanotti (PAR) 70-68 = 138 €21,375 T7) Johan Edfors (SWE) 70-69 = 139 €11,610 T7) Martin Wiegele (AUS) 69-70 = 139 €11,610 T7) Michael Lorenzo-Vera (FRA) 71-68 = 139 €11,610Bold signifies Titleist golf ball usage

 

 

 

Nick Bonfield
Content Editor

Nick Bonfield joined Golf Monthly in 2012 after graduating from Exeter University and earning an NCTJ-accredited journalism diploma from News Associates in Wimbledon. He is responsible for managing production of the magazine, sub-editing, commissioning and feature writing. Most of his online work is opinion-based and typically centres around the Majors and significant events in the global golfing calendar. Nick has been an avid golf fan since the age of ten and became obsessed with the professional game after watching Mike Weir and Shaun Micheel win The Masters and PGA Championship respectively in 2003. In his time with Golf Monthly, he's interviewed the likes of Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Jose Maria Olazabal, Henrik Stenson, Padraig Harrington, Lee Westwood and Billy Horschel and has ghost-written columns for Westwood, Wayne Riley, Matthew Southgate, Chris Wood and Eddie Pepperell. Nick is a 12-handicap golfer and his favourite courses include Old Head, Sunningdale New, Penha Longha, Valderrama and Bearwood Lakes. If you have a feature pitch for Nick, please email nick.bonfield@futurenet.com with 'Pitch' in the subject line. Nick is currently playing: Driver: TaylorMade M1 Fairway wood: TaylorMade RBZ Stage 2 Hybrid: Ping Crossover Irons (4-9): Nike Vapor Speed Wedges: Cleveland CBX Full Face, 56˚, Titleist Vokey SM4, 60˚ Putter: testing in progress! Ball: TaylorMade TP5x