GOLF: Goodwin pulls further clear in Order of Merit (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Cirencester pro Goodwin enjoys another fine display at Cleeve Hill

11:49am Saturday 9th March 2013 in Sport

CIRENCESTER Head Pro Ed Goodwin tightened his stranglehold on the Total Triumph Order of Merit with another top class performance in the latest Gloucestershire & Somerset PGA Medal at Cleeve Hill.

It was a case of déjà vu for Goodwin who was pipped for the top spot by ex-European Tour winner David Dixon.

Dixon shot a two under par 69 with Goodwin one stroke further back. They were the only members in the field who broke the tough par of 71 on the day.

The Cirencester professional now holds a very convincing lead of 23 points over Giuseppe Licata at the head of the standings.

The course was presented in superb condition with the excellent work of recently-appointed greenkeeper Nigel Thompson evident for all to see.

The greens were putting well but with some testing flag positions set for the pros (and a record-breaking length par three at the 10th in play) the players found it tough.

Goodwin, playing on a course he knows well, produced a typically solid-looking card which was bogey-free on his outward nine holes.

The only breaks in that run were back-to-back birdies at the third and fourth holes. Turning for home he dropped his first shot at the 11th hole but immediately regained it at the tricky par four 12th.

His bogey four at the 15th dropped him back to one under but still claimed him another big points haul in the Order of Merit which he is rapidly running away with.