Callan Barrow’s season has not really gone to plan but the former England international is gradually finding some form as he prepares to go to Q School later this year.
FORMAT: 36-hole stroke play
The Royal Lytham player will almost certainly turn pro even if he doesn’t earn his Tour card in the autumn – the final stage of DP World Tour qualifying takes place in Tarragona in November (11-16).
And there were more green shoots as he won the Pines Classic at Hillside on countback from Durham player James Rogers and Cheshire junior Daniel Hayes (Bramhall). It also set up a one shot victory over Rogers in the North West Links Championship, which is jointly held by Hillside and Birkdale (The Birkdale Goblet – which was played the following day).
“I had a rubbish start to the year and it has slowly built up,” said the 24-year-old, who the Scottish Open last year.
“I have played some half decent stuff but it has not been great. My short game has pretty much saved me the whole year. I just need to start hitting the ball straight.”
Barrow kept it in play long enough to finish one under although he was far from happy with how he played.
“Not much went right,” he conceded.
“I didn’t hit the ball great and got up and down a lot.”
Five of Barrow’s six birdies on the day came at par fives with his one successful long putt leading to the other birdie at the par four third. There he knocked one in from 20 feet only to bogey the next having dragged his tee shot way left.
The 2017 North West Links champion started the second round four back of Hayes, who enjoyed a spectacular run on the back nine as he opened with a 68. Five birdies in seven holes took the teenager into a one-shot halfway lead over Rogers, who eagled 17 as he posted a bogey-free 69.
In the afternoon Hayes could only manage a seven on the par five second on his way to 75 while Rogers looked in control until a bogey at 16 and double at the last meant Barrow’s closing 71 was enough to see him sneak home.