Scott Vincent could’ve been forgiven for thinking this wasn’t to be his week when he turned up at Slaley Hall Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort but his clubs didn’t. Happily, the missing clubs materialised in time for the $2-million International Series England and worked to stunning effect as the popular Zimbabwean recorded a one-shot victory.
In the final round he fought out a pulsating back-nine birdie battle with overnight leader Travis Smyth before sealing success with a seven-foot par putt on the final green.
“It’s amazing,” said 30-year-old Vincent, reacting to his maiden Asian Tour triumph. “This is the tour I started on, so obviously it’s nice to get the first win out here. It has felt like a long time but my game is trending in a good direction.”
Absent clubs aside, Vincent came to the north-east of England with his game in great shape. He won the Mizuno Open on Sunday on the Japan Golf Tour Organisation and kept his fine form throughout the Asian Tour’s first-ever UK tournament.
Three rounds in the 60s left him at seven-under-par and a stroke behind Smyth going into the final day. Vincent immediately set out his intentions with birdies at the opening two holes before tree trouble at the third hole saw him give him both shots back.
He got things back on track with a birdie on seven, and then he made four more on the back nine without dropping a shot, as Smyth birdied eight, bogeyed nine, and also made four birdies coming home to have the scores level going up 18. But a bogey on the final hole sank the Australian’s chances.
Behind Vincent, the South African challenge was led by Justin Harding, who carded a closing two-under 69 to finish on eight-under for the tournament, four shots behind Vincent in fourth place. Ian Snyman and Neil Schietekat each closed with two-over-par 73 to end up on four-under in a share of ninth.
Adilson Da Silva had a one-over 72 to finish on level-par in a share of 25th together with Jaco Ahlers who signed off with a three-over 74. Bryce Easton was in 49th, and Keith Horne in 62nd.
Vincent is the first Zimbabwean to win on the Asian Tour.
