I’ve been playing some really good golf recently – it’s been very close without it quite happening. So it was nice to put a really good round together.
- Mark Talbott (Upminster Golf Club ) - PGA Professional
But Talbott had the luxury of finishing off with a two-putt par from 25 feet for his second outright Order of Merit triumph (he also enjoyed a shared victory in another one). The 63 equalled his previous best score for a tournament round.
Talbott, 35, said: “I’ve been playing some really good golf recently – it’s been very close without it quite happening. So it was nice to put a really good round together. The putter was working and when I did hit the odd bad shot I was able to get out of trouble and get away with some pars.”
The Three Rivers success has boosted Talbott’s chances of winning the overall Order of Merit crown for a third time.
The 2020 and 2021 champion said: “I had a steady start at Bishop’s Stortford – I think I was tied-ninth out of our region. I knew I needed a fairly good performance to not get too far out of it. So winning is obviously going to help that.”
Out in front is defending Order of Merit champ Goddard, who has Sam Forgan (Felixstowe Ferry) hot on his heels.
Forgan finished third at Three Rivers on seven-under after finishing tied-fourth in the opening two-day tournament at Bishop’s Stortford.
The third of the four Order of Merit tournaments is the East Anglian Open at Ingrebourne Links on August 1-2.
