Golf: Barry Taylor slips back as Stuart Andrew sparkles at Llangollen

May 6 2008 Liverpool Daily Post

BARRY TAYLOR has slipped from the top of the Order of Merit rankings on the new Players’ Tour after finishing tenth at Langollen.

The first two-day event on the schedule saw Clitheroe's Stuart Andrew claim the spoils with a stunning 65 on the second day at the Welsh course.

Despite being three behind local man Lee Rooke overnight, an eagle at the first and three more birdies on the front nine saw Andrew take charge by the 10th tee. A second eagle, when he chipped in at the 15th, saw his lead increase to four shots allowing him the luxury of a bogey four at the last to complete a comprehensive victory by four shots on nine under par 135.

Doncaster's Andrew Bradley returned a 69 to share second with Rooke on five under, which means he has overhauled Houghwood‘s Taylor at the top of the Order of Merit.

The St Helens player could not build on his opening 69, which featured five birdies and two bogeys, and ended in a tie for tenth on one under par. A double bogey seven on the first on the last day did not help, with three further dropped shots being cancelled out by three birdies.

A return to form for Warrington's Graham Cox, with a second day 67, saw him tie fourth on four under with Richard Gurney from King's Norton, who returned a pair of 70s. Cox reeled off five birdies on the last day, with only one dropped shot.

Royal Liverpool’s Ian Keenan returned 71,72 for a share of tenth, a score matched by David Wilcock (Dean Wood).

RESULTS

Professional: 1st, Stuart Andrew (Clitheroe) 70,65-135; 2nd, Andrew Bradley (Doncaster) 70,69-139; Lee Rooke (Vale of Lalngollen) 67,72- 139; 4th, Graham Cox 73,67-140; Richard Gurney (Kings Norton) 70,70-140; 6th, Joe Senior (UK) 73,69-142; Colin Maroney (Raym,ar Golf) 72,70-142; Adam Scallon (Brockett Hall) 71,71- 142; Tim Maxwell (Knutsford) 75,67-142 145; 10th, Michael Jones (Curite Ltd) 69,74-143; Mark Bradley (Chorley) 72,71-143; David Wilcock (Dean Wood) 71,72-143; Barry Taylor (Houghwood) 69,74-143; Ian Keenan (Royal Liverpool) 71,72 143

Seniors: 1st, Brian Sharrock (BFS Trading) 75,72-147

Amateurs: 1st, Ashley Griffiths (Wrexham) 71,74-145; 2nd, Luke Burrows (Poulton Park) 73,75-148

ORDER OF MERIT: 1st, Andrew Bradley (Doncaster Golf Club) 485pts; 2nd, Barry Taylor (Houghwood) 475; 3rd, Steve Parry (Bolton) 441; 4th, Joe Senior (UK) 412; 5th, Ian Keenan (Royal Liverpool) 321; 6th, Gary Donnison (Unattached) 318; 7th, Stuart Andrew (Clitheroe) 306; Mark Smith (Erewash Valley GC) 286; 9th, Tim Maxwell (Knutsford) 254; 10th, Mike Hempstock (Doncaster ) 250

AMATEUR ORDER OF MERIT:  1st, Luke Burrows (Poulton Park) 140pts; 2nd, James Maw (Hallowes) 90; 3rd, Nick McCarthy (True Temper) 75; Ashley Griffiths (Wrexham) 75; 5th, Olly Smith (Ashton on Mersey) 68; 6th, Tom Stewart (St Annes Old Links) 55; Sam Stewart (St Annes Old Links) 55; Tom Boys (Royal Liverpool) 55; 9th, Liam Hunt (Mere) 50; 10th, Nathan Dunn (Clitheroe) 35