Simon Thornton overcame a sixth hole shank to grab a share of the lead after the opening day of the PGA Playoffs in Aphrodite Hills Golf Club.
Thornton finished with three successive birdies for a round of 66 which gave him a share of top spot with James Walker on five-under-par.
It wasn’t all plain sailing for the Spa Golf Club professional, who opened with eight pars and a bogey on the par-3 7th while he also shanked a six-iron on the par-5 6th. He was pleased with how he managed his game afterwards despite struggling with confidence.
“I actually had a stone cold shank on the 6th hole! I hit a lovely drive, par five had only a six iron in and a stone cold shank. From there I couldn’t find the middle of the club face as always after a shank. I managed to prod it around, nudge it up to the green and hole some putts. It might sound funny but that is the truth!
“I didn’t turn it on at all now it was quite the opposite.”
The catalyst for a fast finish was an eagle at the par-5 10th and it was a bit of good fortune for the former European Tour winner who thought his second shot had found a watery grave only to walk off the green with an eagle 3.
It settled the nerves somewhat and he birdied 14, 16, 17 and 18 to surge into a share of the overnight lead.
“Pulled a rescue on 10 thought it was in the water but it carried 260 to the back of the green and all of a sudden I hole the putt for a 3. From going thinking I’m in the water to making eagle. Then I scratched it around, fairways and greens but wasn’t confident or swinging with the freedom I had earlier in the round but I holed some putts.”
Thornton played on the Great Britain and Ireland PGA Cup team last year, an experience which he loved. A top-3 finish would guarantee his place on the team this year and he wants to get there.
“I’ve never set goals ever in my life I just try play the best I can and improve that’s what I;ve done in my playing career. I would like to set it as a goal but I want to forget about it and just hit the next shot, two rounds to go and anything can happen. It’s in the back of my mind but it won’t be anywhere near my mind when I go to the golf course on Saturday.
“I had such a good time last year and I would love to go again.”
Other than a PGA Cup spot, Thornton has given himself a chance of securing starts on the DP World Tour at the Betfred British Masters, Amgen Irish Open (Royal County Down), BMW PGA Championship (Wentworth), the Challenge Tour’s Irish Challenge, NI Open and the Farmfoods Scottish Challenge.
Meanwhile, Irish PGA Champion David Higgins and Tim Rice have work to do from four-over-par.
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