There were plenty of fireworks from Henry Daly at Brocket Hall this week as the Wentworth junior led the way at the opening Faldo Series event.
The plus two handicapper showed a great deal of imagination and ‘grit’ to finish top overall in the England South qualifier, which also meant he carried off the U-18s prize.
Victory means the 17-year-old takes his place at the European Grand Final in Abu Dhabi along with U-18s runner-up Nathan Woodham (West Hill). There are ten more qualifying events.
Henry finished the 54-hole strokeplay competition on seven under, recording two eagles on his way to a closing 71 (-1) and his biggest victory.
“It’s definitely the best tournament I’ve won,” said the Eton pupil. “Beforehand it would have been something like a junior club championship so it’s very special.
“Throughout the week I held a lot of par putts and was pleased I was able to stay patient.”
The Surrey golfer equalled his best-ever tournament round to kick things off – a six under par 67 on the Palmerston course. After an excellent start he started to struggle physically on the back nine but got the perfect tonic at the par five 13th.
After hitting his second shot into the trees, Henry invoked the spirit of Seve to devise an effective exit strategy, banana-hooking a wedge out and somehow leaving himself with an eight-foot birdie putt, which he holed.
On day two the winds got up and some “insane scrambling” kept bogeys off the card until his eighth (17th) on the Melbourne course.
“I was just trying to stay in it and just about managed it,” he added. “I was able to get through my front nine and get a few birdies on the back nine which was great.”
He closed with a level par 72 to stay one ahead of Woodham, who posted his second consecutive 70 to reach five under.
The two leaders were paired for the deciding round – again on the Melbourne – and both struggled at the first but that was quickly forgotten thanks to some extraordinary scenes on the third green. The West Hill teenager landed a 70-foot bomb for eagle and Henry followed him in from 50 feet for a three.
As they turned for home they were level on five under but the Wentworth junior landed a huge blow on the tenth thanks to another stunning recovery shot. After a poor drive he managed to club his way on to the putting surface and then rolled it in for a second eagle from 40 feet. He did bogey the next but a birdie on 17 gave him some breathing space with Nathan having also bogeyed 11.
Henry’s seven under total was also enough to eclipse the efforts of U-21s winner Justin Chan. The Malaysian posted rounds of 68, 71 and 72 to finish six under.
Meanwhile It was a memorable three days for Oliver Drewitt as the 15-year-old won the U-16s section and he will be joined in the UAE later this year by his best friend and fellow LeAF Studio pupil Jenson Bull, who finished second.
Oliver was five shots clear after a first round that included a remarkable hole in one at the second on the Melbourne course. His eight iron pitched 15 feet past the pin and spun in for his first ace.
Having started at the tenth, the eagle left the Dorset youngster five under after 11 holes and in a state of mild shock.
“I was just stood on the tee thinking is this happening,” said the two handicapper.
The Ferndown junior closed with an 68 (-4) – his best score in competition golf – to leave himself with a big advantage over Jenson and Daniel Butteriss.
The next day the action moved to the par 73 Palmerston course and the field found it tough. Oliver came in with a 79 and his lead was slashed to one shot as Jenson recorded the best score of the day (75).
It was back to the Melbourne for the competition finale and, after 14 holes, his lead was back up to nine as his schoolmate struggled while Oliver reached two under with three to play.
However there would be one little wobble for the leader, who got into trouble off the tee but with a massive lead he would not have to wait long to register the most significant victory of his life.
Oliver added: “It was definitely my biggest win. I have won a couple of junior tournaments but nothing like this.”