Morgan takes first win

John Morgan, a professional for only three months, scored his maiden victory in the Charles Church Challenge Tour Championship at sunny Bowood today.

The 24-year-old England international from nearby Portishead edged out David Geall at the first hole of sudden death after they had tied on 10 under par 278.

Geall, born in Eastbourne but based in Germany, had set the target with a best-of-the-week 65 with eight birdies. He then sat around for two hours waiting to see if anyone could catch him.

It looked as if no-one would until Morgan birdied the long 15th to get to nine under, then holed a 40-footer for a three at the 18th in a 71 - prompting Morgan to dance around the green in delight.

With a large crowd supporting the local man, the pair then returned to the par four 18th where Geall three-putted from distance, while Morgan was left with a 10-footer for par which he holed.

The victory earned Morgan £26,803 and lifts him to fourth on the Challenge Tour Order of Merit and virtually guarantees his European Tour card for next year. Geall, who collected £17,867, climbs to 14th.

‘‘I can’t express how I feel,’’ said Morgan. ‘‘This is a dream come true and I probably won’t sleep tonight.

‘‘I hit a terrible two-iron tee shot in the play-off and the ball finished near a bunker. I had to stand in the sand to play the shot but managed to lay up and chip to 10 feet.

‘‘I didn’t expect David to three putt because he’d been playing so well. But I had my chance and seized it.

‘‘People say I’ve now got my tour card but I’m not taking anything for granted. If it’s true I’m the happiest man in the world.

‘‘My goal is to play on the European Tour and I’m going to play as much as I can to make sure.’’

Hampshire’s Matthew Blackey had the chance to join the play-off but his 12-foot birdie putt on the 18th finished an inch away.

His 67 for 279 left him in third spot, while another Bristolian, Andrew Sherborne, finished joint fourth on 280 after a 73.

But it was bad day for the overnight leaders. Scotland’s Greig Hutcheon, who began the day a shot clear on 11 under, plunged to a 77 for 282, while Irishman Gary Murphy, one behind Hutcheon, returned 73 to finish tied seventh on 281.