Gurney and Pepperell win TP Tour events

Richard Gurney won the first event of the 2013 TP Tour Series at former Ryder Cup host venue Walton Heath before Eddie Pepperell triumphed at Denham Golf Club in Buckinghamshire

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Richard Gurney won the first event of the 2013 TP Tour Series at former Ryder Cup host venue Walton Heath.

The Englishman carded five birdies and an eagle en route to round of three-under-par 69 at the 7,000-yard New Course.

On a day of very challenging weather conditions, Gurney finished one clear of Jonathan Bell and eight-time European Tour winner Bill Longmuir, who both compiled rounds of two-under-par 70.

Former Ryder Cup player and European Open winner Paul Way also took part, but he finished five shots off the lead after carding a two-over-par 74.

The TP Tour, now in its third season, is becoming more and more popular each season, attracting both seasoned pros and young players at the start of their professional journey.

The following week, European Tour graduate Eddie Pepperell won his first TP Tour event at Denham Golf Club after firing a 66 in tough conditions.

The 22-year-old finished one clear of defending champion Francis McGuirk, with Andrew Marshall and Hugh Marr coming in joint third with a pair of 68s.

The TP Tour, now in its third season, is becoming more and more popular

each season, attracting both seasoned pros and young players at the

start of their professional journey.

Former European Tour Order of Merit champion Ronan Rafferty is a playing Tour Ambassador in 2013.

This season, the TP Tour is staging events at some of the UK's most revered golfing destinations, including Royal St George's, Stoke Park and Woburn.

The next event takes place at Worplesdon Golf Club on Thursday April 3.

Nick Bonfield
Features 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, writing, commissioning and coordinating all features across print and online. 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