Jamie Bower wins drama filled Brabazon Trophy

England’s Jamie Bower won the Brabazon Trophy by a stroke in a thrilling final round at London Golf Club.

The Yorkshireman shot two-under par 70 to finish on 12-under, pipping long-time leader Cameron Davis, whose title challenge fizzled out with a three putt on the final hole.

The final round of the English men’s open stroke play championship had everything: brilliant shots, missed opportunities, upsets, nailbiting tension – and a dramatic suspension of play when the leaders, locked at 12-under par, were both on the 18th green and waiting to putt. 

A violent thunderstorm forced the last group off the course and when they returned Bower two-putted for par and victory, while Australia’s Cameron Davis missed a short one which would have taken the title battle into a play-off.

Bower’s victory was watched by his grandparents, Tony and Jean, and his girlfriend Olivia Stephenson and afterwards he described it as: “The biggest win of my life by an absolute mile. It means everything, I can’t express it, I’m just delighted.But I feel really bad for Cameron, he played really well and it was awful for that to happen on the 18th. No-one wants to see that and you would rather win it by holing a putt.”

The win marks a triumphant return to top form for Bower, who claimed two victories in an early-season tour of South Africa. For the last couple of months he’s felt his performance was “very average” but has worked successfully with his swing coach, Alan Thompson of Heswall. “He has been absolutely instrumental,” said Bower.

It also continues a superb run by England internationals, following Alfie Plant’s win in the Lytham Trophy and Scott Gregory’s victory in the Amateur Championship. The next challenge is the European Team Championship in France in early July and Bower said: “We’ve got a great team and I really want to do my best for the country in that.”

Click here for full Brabazon Trophy scores

Image © Leaderboard Photography

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A graduate of Cardiff University’s highly respected post-graduate magazine journalism course, Andy has successfully edited four different publications across the B2B, trade and consumer sectors. He is skilled at all aspects of the magazine process in addition to editing websites and managing social media channels.