GOLF: Llewellyn and his racing buddies star at Wentworth (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Ex-Grand National-winning jockeys prove well up to par

7:00pm Sunday 27th May 2012 in Sport By Danny Hall, Sports Editor

CARL LLEWELLYN did racing proud in the BMW PGA Championship Pro-am at Wentworth Golf Club on Wednesday.

Llewellyn joined forces with fellow Grand National-winning jockeys AP McCoy and Mick Fitzgerald, as well as pro sensation Branden Grace of South Africa, to finish runners-up in the prestigious tournament which attracted other sporting superstars like Roberto Di Matteo, Kenny Dalglish, Sir Steve Redgrave and Tim Henman, along with entertainment personalities Sir Bruce Forsyth and Chris Evans.

Llewellyn was full of praise for professional partner Grace. “He's already won three times on the tour in his first full season and was an absolute gentlemen - a good laugh and good company,” said Carl.

“Our team score was 23 under par which put us in second place. We each won a trophy and a sat nav for the car.”

As for the bragging rights among the racing trio, Llewellyn claimed they went to 17-times champion jumps jockey McCoy.

“AP does not have the time to play as much as myself and Fitzy and given that he had not picked up his clubs in weeks, he was the star,” said Llewellyn, who is business partner and assistant to Naunton trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies.

A 16-handicap member at Naunton Downs, Llewellyn twice won the Grand National at Aintree on Party Politics and Bindaree.

But he admitted there were plenty of butterflies as he played in front of the big Wentworth galleries.

“There was a ‘shotgun’ start and we began on the 16th so at least we had a couple of holes to warm up before we got to the big crowds on the 18th green, and then on the first tee.”