Jack Brooks stormed to the top of the golfnews24 Northern Order of Merit standings with a record-equalling effort in the Birkdale Goblet last night.
FORMAT: 36-hole stroke play
The England international equalled the lowest score in the illustrious event, matching the eight under recorded by tour pro Callum Farr when he won the Goblet in 2017.
Brooks produced a pair of 68s to maintain an impressive run of form which has recently seen him post record low scores in the Childwall Trophy and the Vardon Grip at Harrogate in the Yorkshire Order of Merit, which he is also leading.
The Mere player is now 19 points ahead of Penwortham’s Chris Parkinson, who was unfortunately disqualified after signing for a wrong score.
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“It was really nice to shoot two good scores at Birkdale,” said the Botlon-based player.
“With amount of golf I have played recently my expectations were not too high but it was an honour to win at Birkdale. The course was in first-class condition and, to be honest, I was pretty gutted I was not able to play at Hillside but got roped into playing for Lancashire.”
The 2021 Northern Order of Merit champion enjoyed a blistering finish to finish five clear of Andrew Haswell (Ormskirk) and Royal Lytham duo Jamie Van Wyk and Callan Barrow, who claimed the North West Links championship for the second time. That 72-hole event combines the Goblet and the Pines Trophy (played at Hillside).
Brooks discovered he was was just one ahead with four to play having bogeyed 14.
But he responded with some stellar stuff, starting at the par five 15th where a pair of two irons left him 90 feet away and he got down in two.
At the 16th he rolled one in from 16 feet and then eagled 17 after sending a 240-yard four iron to ten feet.
At 18 a “tired swing” on his second shot meant he didn’t take advantage of the third five par five in four holes, something he managed in the morning. After starting on the tenth, he turned in a three-under 34 before further birdies at two and nine left level at halfway with former England team-mate Barrow.
The Lytham player could only manage a 73 after lunch while Brooks overcame the disappointment of a bogey at the par five sixth to birdie eight and 11 before his stunning finish ensured he collected his fourth Northern Order of Merit victory of the year. He has also amassed 95 points from the last four events he has played. That run started with victory in the Royton Sword on July 17th.