Southport & Ainsdale’s George Holland recovered from a slow start to claim his first Northern Order of Merit victory at Grange Park on Sunday.
NOM: Tuesday, August 9th
The 20-year-old has been working hard to iron out a swing issue and all that effort proved worthwhile as he beat home club player Shaun Kerr on countback to win the Rosebowl thanks to rounds of 74 and 69.
Holland, whose older brother James won the S&A Bowl in May, was four over for his opening 11 holes but dragged it back a bit coming home. Then, after lunch, things really started to click and a run of three birdies in a row, starting at the 11th, set up a charge towards the title. The 25-point haul also moved him up to joint ninth in the overall standings (see below).
For Holland, who previous best Northern Order of Merit finish was third last year at Birkdale – this year’s Goblet takes place on Sunday (August 14) – it was a particularly satisfying victory after struggling with his swing, especially in May and June.
“It’s not been the best season,” he admitted. “Off the tee – and also with my long game – I lost confidence but I have been working hard to get my arms in a better position so I get less ‘wides’.
Pleasington ace comes charging through to win another Northern Order of Merit title after eight-birdie burst at Nelson
“I found my range on the back nine in the morning. I started hitting fairways and felt a lot more confident coming in.”
There was certainly nothing off target with Holland’s drive at his 36th hole of the day. He almost drove the green at the par four to round off an excellent back nine. At 11, 12 and 13 he sunk birdie putts in the 15 feet range.
Earlier in the day two birdies in the final four holes kept him in the hunt and meant he was just four behind 18-hole leaders John Carroll (Huyton & Prescot) and Houghwood’s Darren Weston.
Lancashire county stalwart and multiple Red Rose champion Carroll dropped back to fifth after closing with a 76 while Weston backed up his two-under 70 with a 77 which opened the door for a number of players, one of which was Grange Park player Kerr. He recorded rounds of 72 and 71 to just miss out on the title although he did collect 20 Northern Order of Merit points which were his first of the season.