Simon Lilly produced a dominant display in the 2013 NPGA Winter Series Overseas Pro-Am as he romped to an incredible 19-stroke victory in the four-round tournament in Portugal.
The Wellingborough pro quickly took control as he fired an eagle and five birdies in an opening seven-under-par 66 on the Ocean course at Vale do Lobo to move eight ahead of Brampton Heath’s Dan Wood.
Although Lilly and Wood both shot 70 on the second day at the Quinta do Largo South course, the 36-year-old extended his advantage to 15 strokes on the penultimate day at the magnificent Monte Rei.
Lilly carded six birdies in a five-under-par score, before completing the tournament with another flawless round of 68 in tricky wet and windy conditions on the Royal course at Vale do Lobo.
Wood compiled a level par 72 on the last day to hold on to second place, with Bryn Morris edging out Overstone Park’s Stuart Kier to finish third.
Unsurprisingly Lilly also carried away the top prize in the team category as he joined forces with Wellingborough amateurs Mark Davis, Kevin Turner and Andy Welsh.
The quartet carded a 36-under-par total to finish 13 strokes clear of Wood’s team of John Faulkner, Andy Sewell and Darren Cope.
Four Nations
County amateurs Ian Dallas, Fraser Carnihan and Steve Jackson will be hoping to represent their respective countries again when qualifying for the Four Nations tournament resumes in July.
With Your Golf Travel taking over as the title sponsor for the 2013/14 event, Collingtree’s Dallas is looking to make the Ireland side as they chase a third successive victory.
Carnihan and Jackson, who won both their games for England in the Grand Final last year, have a tough task reaching the same stage this time as they face a number of KO ties and a regional qualifier.
In an event run by Northamptonshire’s Roger Brady and featuring teams from all the home nations, anyone interested in entering should visit www.fournationsgolfchallenge.co.uk.