The PGA in England’s Matthew Cort was crowned 2015 UniCredit PGA Professional Champion of Europe after a final round three-under par 69 earned him the title and €10,000 first prize.
Cort’s championship-winning final round at Pravets Golf & Spa Resort in Bulgaria was an excellent show of smooth and controlled golf as he maintained his overnight lead despite the aggressive movement of the field behind him.
“I’m thrilled to have come through and won it…it’s been a great week,” said Cort. “It got a bit tight out there on the back-nine, and Ralph [Miller] came through with a great score today, so that put the pressure on. I’ve got stage two of Tour School soon so I’d love to get through and get my card back and have another crack at that.”
A consistent start with three pars and a birdie at the par-three fourth hole was a great start to the final round for Cort, but a bogey on eight kept him at -16 through the turn. The back nine became tenser as Cort had opportunities to make birdies at 10, 11 and 12, repeatedly setting up birdie chances but missing each of them. Things kicked into gear on 13, 14 and 15 though as he birdied each of them to make it to -19 (269) and pull away from the chasers.
Tied for third place was Spain’s José Luis Adarraga and Wales’ Garry Houston each at -15 (273). Adarraga posted a two-under par 70, whilst Houston matched Miller’s low-round of the day with a storming 66 to shoot up the leaderboard, each taking home €3,450 in prize money.
