The Gentleman's Open : GO 2008 G.O. 2008

The Gentlemen's Open went all European for 2008. Spain's Polaris World played host to a select field of golfing greats who brought talent and a touch of class to the Costa Blanca.

Competitors left with a golden (red-ish) tan and for the 2008 champion Ben McGregor, the Gentlemen's Open trophy.

G.O. 2008 Agenda:
05.07.2008 Arrive Polaris World
06.07.2008 G.O. ROUND 1: La Torre
07.07.2008 G.O. ROUND 2: Hacienda
08.07.08 Day Off
09.07.2008 G.O. ROUND 3: El Valle
10.07.2008 G.O. ROUND 4: Hacienda
11.07.2008 Day Off
12.07.2008 Return Home

How it happened...

Ben McGregor sealed his first ever Gentlemen's Open title after an epic final round of gritty golf at El Valley Golf Resort, Murcia.

The final round saw Sam Fletcher, Ben McGregor, Ben Collard and Cameron Christie fighting for the title in the 35 degree heat in Spain's Costa Calida.

Fletcher and Collard posed an early challenge while Christie's short game let him down. The back nine saw the the two Bens and Fletcher play unattractive nervy golf while Christie quietly put on a mini-charge.

After 16 McGregor was 1 point behind Fletcher. At the 18th tee McGregor and Fletcher were tied for the lead while Collard and Christie had fallen behind to fight it out for third place.

What followed was a classic case of under pressure golf. McGregor sent his tee shot down the middle while Fletcher sliced his drive into the 500k euro villas and Collard duck hooked into the expansive water on the left. Christie split yet another fairway with a monster 3 wood.

McGregor then calmly fired his second onto the green and two putted to secure a popular win with Christie pipping Collard to 3rd by one point.

Congratulations Ben and well done to James Buffoni for organising a very successful week. Thanks also go to 'drivesees' John Roberts and Dominic Reeve and also to Mercedes Benz for the supply of the Vito.