Corben and Crockett stage comeback to win Sunningdale Foursomes

The 91st Sunningdale Foursomes reached a dramatic conclusion on Friday [March 14] with David Corben and Harry Crockett sealing a improbable 1-up victory over Monty Holcombe and Oscar Lent after discovering themselves two down with three holes to play.

In an all-amateur remaining with each pairs having performed golf for Surrey, issues seemed bleak for the eventual winners when Holcombe and Lent – from Walton Heath – edged two in entrance on Sunningdale Outdated’s par-3 fifteenth gap.

However Corben struck a near-perfect 8-iron to 3 ft on the sixteenth, which allowed Crockett to scrub up for birdie, earlier than Lent and Holcombe bogeyed 17 to make sure the match was all sq. heading up the par-4 final.

From there, Lent and Corben discovered the inexperienced in regulation however Holcombe, going through an extended putt from the entrance of the placing floor, ran his effort 5 ft previous and when Lent missed the returning putt for par, it allowed Corben to scrub issues up with a 4 to say a well-known win.

“It feels so emotional,” stated Corben, 37, who performs out of Hindhead. “It was so shut and such a battle however we caught in there and labored so exhausting. Shedding wasn’t actually an choice however we had been in fact up in opposition to it after 15 so it was good to hit that shot into 16 to offer us an opportunity.

“Nevertheless, I simply wished to struggle till the top for my taking part in accomplice. He was distinctive.

“Monty and Oscar are two nice gamers who I’ve received to know in recent times by taking part in for Surrey. I knew once I first met them that they had been going to be nice gamers they usually confirmed how good they’re at this time. I’m certain their time will come, however for us it’s so particular to know that we are going to have our identify on the well-known Sunningdale Foursomes winners’ board.”

Crockett, 23, from Addington Palace, who earlier within the match had made two important clutch putts on the seventh and eighth holes to save lots of par with Lent and Holcombe trying like they might edge away, added: “It feels unbelievable to win this occasion.

“David confirmed his class in these closing holes and it feels very particular. The Foursomes is certainly one of golf’s most well-known tournaments so to win it’s unreal.”

Earlier within the day, Corben and Crockett overcame final yr’s winners and favourites Dylan Shaw-Radford and Harley Smith 1-up of their semi-final. Lent and Holcombe, in the meantime, gained by the identical rating in opposition to professionals Harry Walch – representing Quail Hole – and former Walker Cup participant Angus Flanagan (St George’s Hill).

STANDOUT PLAYERS

It proved one other memorable week at Sunningdale, with 128 pairs teeing it up throughout Tuesday’s opening day. In an occasion that’s open to each amateurs and professionals, there have been quite a lot of standout names that drew big crowds to the long-lasting Berkshire venue.

Former Tottenham Hotspur, Actual Madrid and Wales legend Gareth Bale was taking part in in his first Sunningdale Foursomes.

He exited within the first spherical with taking part in accomplice Matthew Wylie, nonetheless, Solheim Cup superstars Charley Hull and Georgia Corridor proved one of many tales of the event, advancing to the final 16 earlier than falling to Tom Shadbolt and Ben Evans 4 & 3.