GOLF: Consistent Goodwin running away with the Order of Merit (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Cirencester pro will be hard to beat in Glos & Somerset series

9:08pm Sunday 17th March 2013 in Sport

CIRENCESTER Golf Club’s Ed Goodwin extended his lead still further in the Gloucestershire & Somerset PGA Order of Merit after the latest Medal tournament at Stockwood Vale.

As has happened in the last two events, Goodwin could not beat Enmore Park’s David Dixon, but the touring professional does not qualify for the Total Triumph Order of Merit.

Dixon was clocking up his fifth G&S PGA Medal win of the year with a two-stroke success at Stockwood Vale, his two under par 69 edging out joint runners-up Ross Langdon and Goodwin.

The Cirencester head pro’s 71 saw his lead in the Order of Merit grow to a massive 32.5 points.

Dixon was struggling at four over par after just five holes but clawed all the shots back with a burst of birdies coming at the 8th, 9th, 10th and 12th.

Two more birdies before the end of his round at the 15th and 18th helped him break the 70 barrier.

Goodwin, a late addition to the field after losing in the second round of the Sunningdale Foursomes on Tuesday afternoon, got off to a fine start.

He once covered the front nine at Stockwood in just 28 strokes and was heading for a similar number after notching five threes in a row from the second.

A bogey at the par five 7th stopped him in his tracks and having made the turn at one under, he dropped a shot at the 13th before parring in for a solid 71.