A brilliant final round in testing conditions saw Brian Blanchard claim a second Major title by a runaway eight shots, the third biggest margin in Major history. Chased relentlessly by an equally impressive Derek Horn, Blanchard finally pulled clear with six to play after a consumate display of power hitting, coupled with a steely determination to reach the winner’s enclosure.
Lol Before The Storm
1
BRIAN BLANCHARD
29
39
68
2
DEREK HORN
29
31
60
3
BRIAN WRONSKI
26
31
57
4
MARTIN WALLACE
25
28
53
5
MATT NORRIS
29
24
53
6
BRIAN NORRIS
24
27
51
7
STUART WHITE
22
27
49
8
DAVID DINE
24
25
49
9
GARY ANDREWS
19
29
48
10
ARRAN SQUIRES
20
28
48
11
JAMIE ANDREWS
25
21
46
12
DAVID WALLACE Snr
18
26
44
13
LAURENCE WRIGHT
33
-
33
14
TERRY BARRY
15
5
20
It could all have been so different, however, had overnight leader, Laurence Wright, not had to withdraw prior to the final round. A blistering start had seen Wright open up a healthy lead at the turn and he maintained a four shot cushion going into the final round after a dogged back nine display.
But Wright’s shock overnight withdrawal merely opened up the tournament and all of a sudden, Blanchard and Horn were in a three-way tie for the lead with Matt Norris, another finding a return to form.
The new leaders shared a three shot lead over debutant, Brian Wronski, but with only Martin Wallace, Jamie Andrews, David Dine and Brian Norris having had anything like reasonable opening rounds, the number of potential tournament winners was a paltry figure of just eight.
Matt Norris gained a momentary advantage parring the par five opening hole, but the remainder of the front nine saw a two way battle ensue, with Blanchard and Horn playing some scintilating golf.
Indeed, by the turn, the pair were out of sight. Six clear of Wronski in third, the two leaders traded blow after blow until Horn finally cracked shortly after they headed for home. Finding sand at the tenth and twelfth to drop shots, Horn began to wobble, while Blanchard revelled in the luxury of his two stroke advantage.
From here on in, there was no looking back. Excellent course management combined with a lack of his customary troubles with the putter saw Blanchard stamp his authority all over the tournament and suddenly there was no way back for Horn.
Wronski finished solidly to grab an impressive third place finish while Martin Wallace continued in his fine vein of form to finish fourth and take a one point lead at the top of the Order of Merit. But the day belonged to Blanchard. A late deluge was not enough to dampen the new champion’s spirits and he heads to the final Major of the season, the VCD Open, full of confidence.
2000 - Martin Anderson
2001 - Bill Kenny
2002 - Mark Greatorex
2003 - David Dine
2004 - Peter Deadman
2005 - Mark Greatorex
2007 - Martyn Whitman
2008 - Jack Whitman
2009 - Arran Squires
2010 - Brian Blanchard