Beaten Rowlinson: 'I can't play better'

'IT WAS tough, very tough,' said the new Channel Islands men's golf champion Paul Le Chevalier to sum up a thrilling final against Guernsey champion David Rowlinson at a wet L'Ancresse yesterday. The 36-hole final went the full distance and then some more, but it ended with the Royal Jersey player collecting his second CI title at the first play-off hole.

'The first nine holes were a bit scrappy, but the last 27 were much better,' said Le Chevalier.

The first 18 holes were a bit like the weather, unsettled, with both Rowlinson and Le Chevalier getting off to nervy starts. Rowlinson, though, took advantage of some wayward shots by the big-hitting Jerseyman and took a two-up lead through the turn in the morning,

The lead was short-lived as Le Chevalier hit back by winning the next three holes and with a birdie at the 18th led by one at lunch.

Teeing off in the afternoon, a heavy downpour did not dampen Rowlinson's form as he birdied the opening two holes and was one up by the fifth

But with a beautifully struck mid-iron and 10ft putt at the 12th, Le Chevalier claimed his second two of the day at the par three hole and returned the match to all-square.

A further birdie for the plus-two handicapper came at the next and Le Chevalier's earlier one-up advantage had been restored.

At the 14th Rowlinson got a little lucky in clipping his three iron approach 200 yards onto the green, while Le Chevalier, with a six iron, played the ball from below his feet and left it out way right. Rowlinson's safe two-putt was enough for the win and once again the match was level.

At the 16th he rolled in a 25-footer for the win and was one-up with two holes to play, but at the next and from the back of the green, Le Chevalier sunk a mammoth birdie putt of his own. The match was all square again as it headed to the last.

After a great short iron to 10ft Rowlinson would have the putt for the title but his ball rolled agonisingly past on the high side meaning the duo had to head to the first tee for the third time on the day.

This time Rowlinson pulled his second shot long and left resulting in his first bogey for 25 holes, but sadly it was a bogey that handed Le Chevalier the title.

'I can't play any better than that,' said a disconsolate Rowlinson.

'When I was over that putt on the last I convinced myself I could win, but I missed and then I had to pick myself up for a play-off. It was not easy.'