Sutherland secures TP Tour Order of Merit

Craig Sutherland is celebrating after claiming the TP Tour Order of Merit title for the first time

TP Tour

Craig Sutherland is celebrating after claiming the TP Tour Order of Merit title for the first time

Craig Sutherland is celebrating after claiming the TP Tour Order of Merit title for the first time.

Sutherland, the head professional at Cherry Lodge Golf Club, led the standings heading into the final event at Walton Heath at the end of October.

But he stayed calm in windy conditions on the New Course and posted a round of 73 in the 60-strong event featuring full-time professionals from the European, Challenge and Senior Tour.

He earned 100 Order of Merit points in the process, enough to see him claim the season-long title and secure an all-expenses-paid trip to compete in the AfrAsia Masters, which takes place at The Ernie Els-designed Four Seasons Anahita Resort in Mauritius this December.

“I’m absolutely delighted to have won the Order of Merit, especially given that TP Tour events regularly feature fill-time tour professionals,” said Sutherland.

“And what a fantastic prize. Now I’ll be teeing off in the AfrAsia Masters in Mauritius. I’m really looking forward to playing golf in such a stunning location and hopefully getting into contention for the trophy.”

Sutherland – who expressed his gratitude towards members and directors at Cherry Lodge, as well as sponsor Lynx Golf – finished ahead of Woburn Golf Club’s Ben Storey on the TP Tour Order of Merit.

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