ADAM Powell scored a birdie on the last hole to secure a thrilling victory for Hartford Golf Club in the Lombard Trophy final on Friday.
It earned for him, and playing partner Matt Leach, a £12,000 share of the prize fund after two days of competition at Pestana Vila Sol.
They produced a bogey-free second round of 62 in Europe’s largest pro-am tournament to shoot a 36-hole total of 11 under on the Portuguese course.
“We both played abysmally in the first round,” admitted Powell.
“We finished on one under and that flattered us; it could have been 10 over – we were that bad.”
Powell and Leach started the second day four shots adrift of leaders Cirencester, a gap they had reduced by one at the turn.
A birdie-laden back nine proved decisive.
“I had five on the way home,” said Powel “And Matt, who plays off 18, had a nett eagle a the 17th.
“We found out the score going into the final four holes, so knew we were in the mix – that changed the feeling a bit.
“We had to go for it.”
Leach’s eagle on the penultimate hole, coupled with Cirencester duo Edward Gooding and amateur partner James Harding registering only their second bogey, made the difference.
A three-stroke swing left the rivals level before Powell delivered that fifth and final birdie.
It landed him the biggest success of a 13-year career.
“We had a fabulous time,” he added.
“Everybody was great, really friendly - it’s been a brilliant experience.”
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