With par four holes of 509 yards and the seventeenth par three at 258 yards, we just do not have the power or technique to even approach the greens in regulation figures, even if the holes were in a straight line as the crow flies. American golfer Zac Johnson, not known for his length on the course, found the par four eighteenth fifty yards out of reach and throughout the round had to rely on his short game and excellent putting to complete the event just three strokes off the pace.

It was interesting to watch Bubba Watson, the young left handed American, who tied for the lead with Martin Kaymer of Germany before Kaymer won the play off; he was immensely long off the tee and was one of the few on the Saturday, when the wind was more benign, to reach the par five 628 yards twelfth hole in two shots with a three hundred and seventy one yards drive and then a four iron to the right of the green, but pin high! Peter Alliss would be coining some superlatives had he been commentating on the event I bet.

The par threes along the lake side were invariably  played over open water or a cliff hanging down to the waters edge with a pure carry from tee to green and a very limited bale out area. I dread to think how many balls we would lose. Just as it is a given fact that the Augusta National course, with its sloping, lightning fast greens would just permit a scratch player to break ninety on a good day, so it was conceivable that Whistling Straits fell into the same category. Keep practicing!

Walking into the clubhouse after Saturday morning’s golf, it was a pleasant surprise to see tumblers of whisky laid out for the fortunate few who arrived in time to sample the good fortune of a hole in one. This week’s skilful player was Brian Davies, husband of Ladies’ Captain Anne Davies, who had holed out on the tenth hole with a seven wood. Chatting away, Brian had failed to see the ball drop into the hole until advised to “get his money ready” by his band of playing partners. A nice tradition; long may it continue.

Brian would have me point out that he was down the grip on the seven wood!

The Wrexham scratch team qualified for the Golf Union of Wales Team Championships held at Borth and Ynyslas last weekend and drew Whitchurch, Cardiff, in the first round. The team was managed by Jack Gittins and captained by Kevin Matthias and comprised Jamie Durkin, Rod Fieldhouse, Andy Bostock, Rhys Millington and Sam Higgins.

The Whitchurch team were losing finalists last year but the Wrexham team disposed of them by 4 to 1 in what was to prove to be the toughest half of the draw. In the meantime, Royal St. Davids, Harlech had beaten St. Pierre, Chepstow in the other match and were duly beaten by the Wrexham team by three matches to two in the next round.

Rod Fieldhouse won four of the last six holes to win his match and Andy Bostock came back from four down by winning five of the last six holes to win his game.

Rhys Millington was playing out at number one in the team and produced first class golf all week to win all of his matches to date.

Their quarter final was against the much fancied Vale of Glamorgan but they too fell to excellent golf by three games to two. On to the semi final against Newport who were sailing through their previous matches aided and abetted by Welsh international and anchor man, Joe Vickery, previous winner of the Clwyd Championships.

Despite Rhys Millington winning his match on the 21^st hole, Wrexham were defeated by three matches to two to the eventual winners who comfortably beat Conwy in the final by four to one.

I am indebted to R. Paul Williams, Wrexham’s Match and Handicap chairman for a comprehensive report on the event.

Last Monday was the occasion of the Wrexham Junior Captain’s Day medal which witnessed a win for Jack Waters with 83 – 20 – 63 from Callum Gaughran on 96 – 28 – 68 and James Adamson with 94 – 24 – 70. Matthew Waters was in fourth place with 91 – 19 – 72 with Junior Captain Mike Peters reclining in fifth place with 82 – 8 – 74.

Sam Postle recoded 108 – 40 – 68 to win his division from Jack Hughes on 102 – 32 – 70

The Denbighshire seniors played Caernarfonshire at Abergele last Thursday and faced an immensely strong peninsular team which included ex Welsh International John Roger Jones and Aled Rees. The home team comprised Dave Hart and Neil Purdie of Llangollen; John Hughes, John Lewis and Tim Gorin of Ruthin Pwllglas; David Jones and Mike Lowe of Wrexham; George Smith of Chirk and Eric Howells and John Kenny of Denbigh. Despite our best efforts, Caernarfonshire proved just too strong and Denbighshire lost by three matches to two

The Vale of Llangollen veterans played a match against Chester Curzon at Llangollen and emerged the winners by 6 ½ to 5 ½ showing a change of fortune following one or two disappointing results just recently.

Clays Golf Club played a Ladies Stableford which resulted in a win for Jane Bell with 39 points from Rosalind Carman on 32 and then Diane Dare with 31.

The Seniors’ Open played on 12^th August was won by J Bostock and J Evans with 40 points with Andrew Mitchell and Graham Stokes in second place with 39. Neil Sanger and R Jarvis were in third place with 37. Larry Birch took the nearest the pin on the 5^th hole and L Highton was nearest the pin in two strokes of the 11th hole. Two players, D Gallimore and W Hewitt scored the only birdie of the day and shared five dozen golf balls between them.

The Shop Sunday Stableford was won by Grant Jones with and excellent 46 points off a handicap of 22 followed by Colin Bryan on 40 and Josh Green on 38.

The Ladies’ August medal was won by Anne Richards with net 69 from Valerie Jervis on 81 and then Rosalind Carman with 83.

Too late for this week, the Denbighshire Golfing Union’s Seniors’ Championships takes place at Wrexham Golf Club on Thursday, a report on which will be next week.

The week commenced with two stroke play rounds with the best three scores out of four to count. Out of the nineteen European teams competing, the top eight qualify for the top flight of match play rounds, the next eight for the second flight of match play and the last three merely accept positions seventeen, eighteen and nineteen in the rank order.

Played on a very difficult course in high winds, Chloe returned the best aggregate of the Welsh team despite scoring rounds of +9 and +7. The team qualified in sixteenth position to enter into the second flight of the match play games.

Playing against Germany, Wales lost by 2½  to ½ with Chloe gaining the solitary half after being two down with three to play.

The next match, against Holland, saw Wales lose the first game by 3 and 2 until Katie Bradbury restored the balance with a 4 and 3 win with Chloe out in the last match.

After fifteen holes she found herself three down but squared the match by the final hole and then won on the twentieth hole to ensure Wales won the match by 2 and 1.

The final game was against Italy who fielded a team of girls with handicaps from +3 to scratch. All three games went to the closing holes but Wales went down 3 – 0.

We finished 14^th out of the nineteen countries competing without the services of top Welsh girl golfer Amy Boulden of Maesdu who has now been elevated to full international status.

This result was the best Welsh result for the last four years and confirms the advantages of the coaching schemes now in place for young golfers.

Nearer home I am indebted to Phil Coleman who diligently reports on the Vale of Llangollen veterans who this week played against Mile End, Oswestry, in the first leg of the Coleman Cup (presented by the aforementioned P.C.).

Despite playing himself, Phil reported a loss by eight matches to two with the Llangollen players returning just one winner and two halved games.

Their fortunes were no better when they played Oswestry in the second leg of the Eifion Davies Memorial Trophy having lost the first leg 8 games to 4. They remained consistent however and lost this weeks leg by the same margin giving an overall Trophy score of 16 to 8 in favour of the Shropshire club.

Clays golf club seniors enjoyed a Texas Scramble last Tuesday with many of the usual players away at an Open meeting at Ruthin Pwllglas.

“Mr. Consistency” Ray Martin partnered Joe White and Graham Stokes to 60 points followed by Dave Talbot, Cliff Davies and Reg Taylor to 60.2 for second place with Roy Williams, Nigel Moore and Frank Carroll in third place with 62.1.

Thursday was the day of the Individual Stableford which went the way of G Stokes with a creditable 43 points from W Duncan on 40, J Hughes with 39 and then E Jenkins on 38. The event attracted twenty five seniors whist 24 traveled to Ellesmere Port to play in a match which they eventually lost by 8 games to 4.

The Ladies’ Stableford resulted in a win for Lesley Holland with 20 points from Christine Bowman on 16.

The Shop Saturday Stableford was won by Gareth Parry on 43 points from second placed David Parry on 38 and Louis Gray in third spot with another 38 point card.

The following day witnessed the playing of the Sunday Strokeplay in which Brian Johnston handed in his medal score of 74 – 8 – 66 to win by one stroke from Kenny Hughes on net 67 and Reg Peacock in third place on 68.

The junior medal went to Tom Gledhill with net 64 from Louis Gray, 65, and Paul McCaffrey with another 65.

The Ladies’ July medal was won by Pauline Peacock on net 72 from Anne Richards with 72 and Carol Ann Lee with 74.

Wrexham golf club ladies played their Caldecott Pattison Salver as a medal last Tuesday. Winner of the Silver division was Jean A. Jones with net 71 from Gwen Griffith on 72. The Bronze division went to Sandie Reddington with net 71 from second placed June Roberts with net 76.

Jean was the overall winner and receives the Caldecott- Pattison Salver on Finals day in September.

Running concurrently with this event was then Caldecott Stableford through two handicap divisions. Winner of the Silver division was Janet Pritchard with an excellent 45 points from Dorothy Davies on 38. The Bronze division went to Ladies’ Captain Ann Davies with Pat Purdy as runner up on 37 points, the overall winner being Janet with her score of 45 points.

Last Saturday the men played for the Crowe and Leader Cups in an event that enables all to compete for the Crowe Cup, but only players who have not won a Board Competition are eligible for the Leader Cup.

The Crowe Cup was presented many years ago by the established wholesale Fruit and Vegetable distributor F. F. Crowe who counts as one of his descendants the film actor, Australian, Russell Crowe.

The Leader Cup was presented in the fifties by the Wrexham Leader whose offices stood at the time in Caxton Place, Wrexham, before being cruelly destroyed by fire some time later.

I well remember delivering my hand written Athletics copy there to the late Ron Chaloner in 1964 following the County Sports at the Barracks Field in Hightown, and in later years at Eirias Park in Colwyn Bay.

Enough of reminiscing! The winner of the Crowe and the Leader Cups was retired Premiership referee John Walter Lloyd who handed in 74 – 11 – 63, a first class score considering how hard and fast the golf course has become through lack of rain. Runner up in both cups was equally competent Ken Bayley with 83 – 20 – 63 who ranked second by just 0.5 of a shot on the computer in calculating back nine scores. Neither of these gentlemen had won a Board event in the past, so making them eligible for both trophies.

This Saturday is played the thirty six holes Scratch Cup with the Weiner Cup for net scores running concurrently with it. The event was changed from Sunday to Saturday because of the final day of the Open Championships from St Andrews, and the thought that most players would wish to watch the afternoon play on television.

Watching the BMW sponsored championships from Wentworth last week it was interesting to note the variety of clubs that the modern tournament player now has at his disposal, and more importantly, the variety of shots that are now available due to the choice.

The most important move in club design since the nineties has without doubt been the advent of the hybrid, or rescue club. With many sets if irons now running from a four iron to a range of wedges, sometimes as many as four in number, the old long irons such as a one iron or even a two and three have been replaced by the hybrid which now features in many golf bags of ordinary club players. The usual mix of four woods, nine irons and a putter so commonly assembled in the seventies and eighties has now changed significantly with the introduction of the hybrid.

Designed along the lines of a shallow metal club, it comes in a variety of lofts to emulate distances from a six iron down to a seven wood, but has the distinct advantage of being hugely user friendly with its comforting bulk and yet streamlined profile. It has the ability to pluck a ball off a short tee peg as well as to nestle behind the ball in short to medium rough, and each stroke has a high chance of a favourable result.

The shot that intrigues me though is the stroke from just off the edge of the green when the distance to the flag is just too much for a putter and maybe the lie too tight for a successful chip. Out comes the hybrid, and a stroke similar to a putter shot usually has the desired effect.

When the fringe rough is more lush and clingy, the “bladed wedge” shot seems to find favour with professional players as was demonstrated by Ernie Els last weekend when playing in the above mentioned event. Hovering the edge of the sand wedge just at the half way point of the ball, he effectively struck the ball in the middle and created enough top spin to roll it to the side of the hole. Hours of practice!

Wrexham enjoyed the camaraderie of an Irish Foursomes last Thursday when the teams of four took over the back nine holes with each player carrying just one club. The composition of the club selection followed broad guidelines starting with either a three or five wood, then a five or six iron, followed by a pitching club and a putter.

The “joy” of the game is that each club throughout the match must be used in strict order which is okay if the opening hole is a par four and played in par. A well played par three could see the ball being holed out with the wedge and the putter being used to drive off on the next tee.

Winners were Angela Miller, Jackie Williams, Steve McKevitt and Dave Phillips with an unknown score and lots of laughs. Try it some time and use a quarter of the combined handicaps for scoring purposes; all very good fun!

On a more serious note, the club DGU handicap league team played the Vale of Llangollen last Sunday and lost by a margin of five and a half to two and a half.

Clays golf club maintain a high level of competitive golf throughout the week with last week being no exception. With many seniors “out on tour” with various Open events at neighbouring clubs, the remaining players enjoyed a Stableford pairs event which was won by Den Murphy and Ray Jones with 71 points from Ernie Williams and Dave Talbot on 63.

Two days later a larger field played a yellow ball event in threes which resulted in a win for Harold Hughes and Bill Parry with Bob Brown who handed in 133 points. Second on 132 came Richard Key, Bob Jarvis and Enoch Smith in a closely fought finish.

At DGU handicap league level, Clays managed to beat Moss valley at home by four and a half to three and a half.

The junior summer Stableford league featured a win for Louis Gray with 44 points from second place Tom Gledhill on 40 and Lee James on a similar score.

The May Friday medal was won by Mike Davies with 86 – 18 – 68 from second placed Colin Brand on 86 – 17 – 69 and then Kevin Lee Roberts on 77 – 7 – 70.

Jordan Williams continued his good form from last week by winning the Karen Griffiths Memorial trophy with 43 points from Karl Matthias on 40, Paul R Williams on 38 and County captain, Tony Harcombe, on another 38 point card.

Josh Green returned an excellent 41 points off a scratch handicap to win the Shop Sunday Stableford from second placed Pauline Peacock on 39 and Jordan Pearson on 38.

As mentioned in last week’s issue, the Welsh Youth Championships take place at Wrexham on Saturday and Sunday of this weekend with Friday being set aside as an afternoon practice session for competitors new to the golf course.

Nicklaus was coached by a gentleman called Jack Grout whose philosophy was very simple,” hit is as far as you can, find it, and hit it again”. Only then did he impart the reduction in power and add the finesse that was so critical to the modern game.

Indeed, so devoted was Nicklaus to Jack Grout that he went every year until his mentor passed away for early season lessons when Grout merely went over the basics of set up and swing technique to start another successful season for the great man.

When Nicklaus was first observed playing by the legendary Bobby Jones, who witnessed him hitting one irons as high as most players could hit a six iron, Jones remarked

“He plays a game with which I am not familiar”.

Much was written on Tuesday in the national press about the victory at Quail Hollow in Charlotte, North Carolina when Rory McIlroy won the event by scoring seventeen birdies and an eagle over his closing thirty six holes of play. Talk was of a successor to Tiger Woods who, it must be said, is not enjoying the best of form at this time having missed the cut by a healthy margin.

I must say that I still find it somewhat difficult to come to terms with distances achieved by the top players in today’s game. On a par five of five hundred and seventy yards, Mickelson drove the ball over three hundred and thirty yards and hit the green with an easy nine iron, and McIlroy closed down the final hole with a five iron of two hundred and ten yards into the centre of the green, albeit leaving a put of some thirty five feet which he holed with some nonchalance for his final birdie of the day.

He broke the course record by some two strokes for a sixty two and, testimony to his achievement, great players such as Mickelson and Jim Furyk queued to congratulate him and shake his hand. Watch this space!

Nearer home, the Denbighshire Golfing Union Seniors team has been selected for their first match of the season against Dyfed to be played at Borth and Ynyslas Golf Club on 28^th May. The ten man team will be captained by John Hughes of Ruthin Pwllglas and will comprise David Jones, Mike Lowe, and Ray Bennett of Wrexham, Clive Wright and Neil Purdie of the Vale of Llangollen, Eric Howells and John Kenny  of Denbigh, John Lewis of Pwllglas and  George Smith of Chirk. The match will defer to age and will be eighteen holes of four ball betterball rather than the usual thirty six holes of foursomes in the morning and then singles after lunch.

The Vale of Llangollen Veterans played against Henllys in the first leg of a two way fixture and lost by a margin of 5 ½ to 4 ½

The Frank Ellis memorial trophy attracted forty eight players in an event played as an individual Stableford. Winner was Colin Johns with 40 points from second placed John Ormrod with 39 and then Cyril Jones on 38.

Wrexham host the Clwyd championships this coming Sunday with play over thirty six holes taking place at Prestatyn on the Saturday. Playing from two tees in each club, courses will be closed for the duration on the respective days.

Clays golf club seniors lost their match against Denbigh on the 29^th April by a five match deficit, playing their Seniors Kitty competition the same day at the home club Winner was Roy Jones with 40 points from Peter Fey on 39, Tony Harcombe on 38 and Fred Court on 37.

The Ladies’ Challenge Bowl event was won by Denise Bromley with net 71 from Anne Richards with 72, India Friswell on 82 and then Kim Harcombe with 83.

The Seniors April Stableford was won by Dennis Murphy with 38 points followed by Ray Martin on 38 and then Roy Jones with 37. The Monday Texas Scramble went the way of Malcolm Edwards, Jimmy Lee and Louis Grey with net 56 from second placed Steve Parry, Ron Roberts, Ray Martin and Mike Lowe with 57.

The club May medal was played through three handicap divisions , the first division  being won by Josh Green with 65 – 0 – 65 from second placed Danny Williams on net 66 with David Wright third with net 66 also. Gareth Roberts won the second division with a 68 followed by Steve L. Williams with 69 and then Bill Kelleher on 69 as well. Michael Sullivan took the honours in division three with net 67 from Rob Condren on 68 and Jim Fenn with 69.

The Ladies medal was won by Hazel Bell with net 75 from Pauline Peacock on 80.

, whilst the junior medal went the way of Grant Jones with net 66 followed by Scott Anderson on 66 and James Lee on 67.

Finally this week we have the results of the Shop Sunday Stableford which recognized a win for Neil Lloyd Richards with 39 points from Matthew Nicholas on 36 and Gary Greenhaugh on a duplicated score of 36.

K. J. Choi was strongly fancied on Sunday, the final day of the event, but on one rare occasion found himself in deep trouble and seemed to take ages over his club selection. Realising that he would probably need a ruling from the attendant referee, Alliss queried whether he needed a ruling or a saw, further adding that perhaps a half open umbrella might just be the solution to his problem. Never a good putter by his own admission, his car registration plate reads PUT 3!

Well, Mickelson did the trick in fine style with a convincing win by three strokes, and by playing attacking golf at a time when others were “being patient” as the saying goes. His second shot from behind a pine tree on thirteen will be the stuff of legend as he ripped it over two hundred yards off the pine needles to within five feet of the flag – not really being patient . Two solid pars on sixteen and seventeen and a birdie on eighteen sealed off an excellent 67 for a five under final round and his third green jacket.

Almost by way of apology do we turn to our local courses and the fine weather that has invaded us for the past fortnight? The fairways are lush, the greens fast and courses are at their Spring best.

Wrexham were busy with a Bank Holiday mixed event which attracted forty players and resulted in a win for Gayle Elson and Jon Tym worth 41 points. Second came Della Evans playing with Keith Miller, the club captain, on the better of two 37 point cards, the other offering going to third placed Monica Jones and Cliff Reddington. Ladies Captain Ann Davies partnered Dave Chadwick for 36 points and fourth place.

April’s monthly medal coincided with the Captain’s driving in ceremony at 1.00 p.m. With a crowd of well wishers on the club verandah the Captain, Keith Miller, accompanied by the Vice Captain, John Dwyfor Williams and the new President Jim Johnson, all succeeded in hitting the ball forwards avoiding the pond and the first fairway with the exception of the Captain who struck a fine ball on to the stripes down the middle and, as tradition has it, assured himself of a good year in office.

Winner of division 1 was Phil Guest with an excellent 67 – 2 – 65 from Ian Davies on 71 – 5 – 66 followed by Steve Taylor who returned 76 – 6 – 70. The second division went to Mike Palmer with a fine 73 – 11 – 62 for the lowest net score of the day. Following him came Chris Wade with 76 – 12 – 64 and then Jim Davies on 77- 11 – 66. Division three witnessed a win for Andrew Harper with 81 – 14 – 67 beating Paul Hollinshead,

82 – 13 – 69 into second place and Paul Marubbi, 86 – 16 – 70 into third. Mike O’Keefe handed in 90 – 20 – 70 to win the fourth handicap group from second placed Bryn Edwards on 89 – 19 – 70 and Cliff Hughes with 98 – 28 – 70 for third.

The Vale of Llangollen played their Veterans’ Shield last week in which fifty three players entered the event. Played as an eighteen holes Stableford the winner was Colin Burman with 37 points from Ray Jarvis on 36 and David A. Wright in third place with another 36 point card.

This immediate past Tuesday they played visitors from Shrewsbury in the first match this week, the other being against Caldy on Thursday. The Shrewsbury game ended in favour of the home side by a margin of 8 ½  to 1 ½ .

Clays golf club hosted a seniors’ kitty competition in which fifty three seniors took part, coincidentally the same number as played in the Llangollen veterans’ event. The weather was brilliant and served Joe White very well as he won with 39 points from second placed Maelor Davies, 38, Tony Evans, 36, and then Mike Carding on 34.

The Golf Union of Wales team qualifier saw Mike Jones hand in 41 points from Michael Eaton on 39, Graham Davidson-Clarke on 39, and Colin Brand on the same numbers, all ranked on their back nine holes score.

The Sunday shop Stableford played last Sunday witnessed a win for Danny Williams on 41 points from Michael Platt on 37 and then Lewis Morgan on another 37.

Richard Collier won the Saturday winter league with net 61 from Josh Green on 62 and David Wright who handed in an identical score. The Sunday Winter league went to Kevin Williams with net 51 from second placed Paul William Jones on 51 and then Michael Platt on 52.

This coming Friday, the 16^th April, is the occasion of the Annual General Meeting of the Golf Union of Wales in the Sophia Gardens complex of the Sports Council for Wales a report on which I will add to next weeks column.

The Scot is standing in for Seve Ballesteros at Amata Spring Country Club in Chonburi, with the Spaniard having ruled himself out due to lingering health concerns.
As well as captaining the side, Montgomerie has taken a playing role – a first in the competition’s history – to cast an eye over candidates for his Europe team to face the United States at Celtic Manor in October.

“When I heard that the games were just one game per day then it’s possible to play, but when you have two matches a day and 36 holes a day it becomes impossible to try and fit in the scheduling,” he said. “With one match a day it’s possible to captain and play in the team and it means I’m at very close quarters to watch my team players.”

The European side includes the Swedes, Henrik Stenson, Robert Karlsson, Alexander Noren and Peter Hanson, England’s Simon Dyson, Denmark’s Soren Kjeldsen and Spain’s Pablo Martin.

While it is far from the team likely to be seen in Wales, Montgomerie said it would help the players good prepare. “It’s a very important year for European golf in 2010, culminating in the Ryder Cup in October,” he added. “We have a great wealth of talent in Europe, more so than I’ve ever witnessed in my career.

“This [the Royal Trophy] is a very good preparation for us in many ways to see how our top players are playing early on in the year while it gives me a great opportunity to witness how they are preparing for at the end of the year.”

Darren Clarke is keen to put a disappointing 12 months behind him when he tees off at this week’s Africa Open in East London, South Africa.

The Northern Irishman is among a handful of high-profile players assembled in the coastal city for the event, which is making its first appearance on the European Tour.Other players in the field include 2009 European Tour winners Nick Dougherty, of England, and Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn.

Geoff Ogilvy will kick off the 2010 PGA Tour at the SBS Championship in Hawaii believing that Tiger Woods’ world No 1 ranking is up for grabs now that he has taken indefinite leave from golf as he tries to rescue his marriage after his admission of infidelities.

“It’s an interesting time,” Ogilvy said. “A lot of guys will be thinking, ‘Here is my year’.”

Play at the President’s Putter, due to start at Rye Golf Club on Thursday, has been postponed for 24 hours in an attempt to beat the wintry conditions.

“We’re experiencing very difficult conditions but, as ever, we’re very keen to try and play some golf,” said Martin Yates, of the Oxford and Cambridge Golf Society.

“We’ve only ever lost one President’s Putter to the weather and that was to heavy snow in 1979.

“We’re prepared and happy to play in just about every conceivable circumstance, but unfortunately the one thing that can stop us is significant snow on the greens.”

“There’s no greater feeling than winning and I’m just a flood of emotions – I’m holding back the tears,” said Ramsay, who three years ago became the first Scot to win the US Amateur in 108 years. The pair tied on 275, 13 under par, but the former Walker Cup player grabbed the first prize of £141,745 – and a Tour exemption that runs until the end of 2011 – when he was on the green in two at the 601-yard 18th and two-putted.

“Things just went for me,” he added. “But I am a lot more positive now – I go out believing and thinking I can win.”

Ramsay did not drop a shot all day, going to the turn in 33 and then grabbing more birdies on the 10th, 12th, 15th and 17th.

The last of those, a 14-footer following a superb approach from the rough over water, brought Ramsay into the joint lead and, after he had missed a 25-foot birdie chance on the last, Kapur stood on the same green with a 12-foot putt for his first Tour title but missed.

Denmark’s Anders Hansen, Swede Fredrik Andersson Hed and Italian Edoardo Molinari all could have joined the play-off with a closing eagle but failed.

Hansen’s birdie left him third, while the other two parred to be joint fourth – and that was good enough for Molinari to climb into the world’s top 50 just in time to join his brother Francesco in the Masters at Augusta in April. They will be the first brothers to compete at the Masters together since Japan’s Jumbo and Joe Ozaki in 2000.

Overnight leader Pablo Martin, winner of last week’s Alfred Dunhill Championship, dropped to sixth with a 73.

Ramsay went into the event ranked 240th in the world and the victory will take him just inside the top 120.

It was not until he came fourth at the Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews in October that Ramsay made sure of keeping his card.

He led the Wales Open earlier in the year but found himself in a rules controversy there and the fact he escaped punishment upset a number of other players.

Two years after becoming the first amateur to win on the circuit, the 23 year-old is now the only one to capture titles both as an amateur and a professional.

Martin, ranked 488th in the world at the start of the tournament, was in the depths of despair about his game after missing the first seven cuts of this year. He now ends 2009 on a high after beating home hope and former winner Charl Schwartzel by a single stroke in a tense finish.

It was only on the final day of last season that Martin made sure of keeping his Tour card, but he is now exempt until the end of 2012 – and over £143,000 richer.

The Malaga golfer had had only one top-10 finish since his triumph at the Portuguese Open, but with a closing three-under-par 69 he held off the charging Schwartzel to win with a 17-under total.

“It’s an unbelievable feeling,” he said. “I am so happy and there was so much emotion today.”

While he had the ecstasy, there was agony for several others after the 541-yard 18th at Leopard Creek – one of the toughest finishing holes in golf – claimed more victims.

Welshman Sion Bebb, only one behind after an eagle on the 13th, dropped six shots as he ran up and 11 after tangling with trees and then dumping two balls in the water surrounding the green.

That dropped him from fifth to 17th and alongside Ernie Els, who after starting the day tied for second shot 77.

The former Open champion’s round ended in a double-bogey seven on the hole where he took eight when two in front two years ago, while Ireland’s Gareth Maybin also took seven when lying third and Frenchman Michael Lorenzo-Vera had an eight to fall from fourth to eighth.

Martin was two ahead of Schwartzel on the tee and, despite a huge drive, chose to lay up short of the lake.

Schwartzel, who had had a hat-trick of birdies from the 14th before bogeying the 17th, had to do the same after almost hooking out of bounds, but then piled the pressure on by pitching close.

Martin’s third short was close to going over the green, but hung on and he two-putted for victory.