Pearce Holds On

Mahal Pearce has taken out the first leg of the Jeep Pro-Am Tour at Moonah Links after a tense finish that saw Ashley Hall get to the lead before a late triple bogie stalled an impressive charge.

Pearce who started the final round with a two shot lead over Hall started with two birdies in his first four holes and opened up a six shot lead over Hall who started his round with two straight bogies. The two bogies seemed to spark Hall into action and amazingly through 12 holes he found himself at four-under for the day and leading the tournament.

Pearce, who was playing solid golf to be one-under after 16 holes and was unaware of the Hall charge, made a crucial mistake on his 17th hole with a double bogie to drop to one-over for the day and four-under for the tournament which was his finishing score.

At the same time as Pearce was having his problems, Hall’s round was unravelling with a disastrous triple bogie on his 16th hole that in the end proved the difference with Pearce taking out the title with a one shot victory.

“I played pretty solid golf today but just couldn’t get anything going. I had a feeling the late mistake may have been costly but it was great to find out I just got over the line” Pearce said.

“It’s a great complex here at Moonah Links and I have had an enjoyable week, it was tough but still enjoyable. Credit must go to Jeep for their fantastic investment in golf and I look forward to the next event at Kooindah Waters in a few weeks time”

For Hall it was a good week that regardless of the final error will stand him in good stead for his upcoming assault on The Open Championship which he qualified for earlier in the year.

“This event could not have come at a better time with my trip to The Open fast approaching. The conditions we experienced on Friday will be as bad as anything that can possibly be thrown at me when I get over to England so this week has been great preparation”, Hall said.

“Well done to Mahal on some very good golf and also to Jeep for this exciting new series of events which all of the professionals appreciate”.

The NSW leg of the Jeep Pro-Am Tour will begin on June 14th-17th and be staged at Kooindah Waters Golf and Spa.