Pro golfer Richard Wallis claims a second Order of Merit victory of 2012

by Kevin Redsull

Richard Wallis completed a hat-trick of victories in the Tylney Park Classic in Hampshire.

The Walmer & Kingsdown professional, who is the defending Virgin Atlantic Order of Merit champion, added a second round two-under-par 70 to his opening round of 69 to return a total of 139 and win the first prize of £1,500.

It left Wallis two shots in front of the chasing pack comprising Michael Ahluwalia (Birchwood Park), David Callaway (Milford) and Paul Nessling (Cooden Beach), who all tied on three-under-par 141.

It was Wallis’ second Order of Merit victory of 2012 and saw him overtake Guy Woodman (East Berks) at the top of this season’s rankings.

He said: "I had a bit of a struggle but while there were no fireworks, I putted beautifully all day and felt good on the greens.

"I made a couple of good putts at the 2nd for a par and the 4th for a birdie and reached the turn in level par.

"But then I nearly lost a ball on the 10th and after PGA tournament director Mark Spratt luckily found it, I managed to make a bogey and then repaired the damage with a good birdie up the 11th.

"I made another birdie on the next par five, the 14th, and then on the last tee, we could see the final scores from David Callaway and Michael Ahluwalia had left me a shot in front.

"Paul needed a birdie to catch me but we were playing off the forward tees making the last 290 yards, so I took my driver and hit the ideal shot, finishing 18 feet from the hole for a two-putt birdie to card a 70 and a five-under-par finish for the win.

He added: "This rounds off a nice patch, with three wins in a row at Stoneham, the pro-am here and now the main event and I feel I am back in the groove."