Europro TourBrian KeoghTim Rice, Luke Donnelly, Fore Business Championship

Rice back in the winner's circle after stunning 66

Europro TourBrian KeoghTim Rice, Luke Donnelly, Fore Business Championship
Rice back in the winner's circle after stunning 66
Tim Rice. Picture © PGA Europro Tour

Tim Rice. Picture © PGA Europro Tour

Limerick's Tim Rice closed with a best-of-the-day 66 to clinch PGA EuroPro Tour’s “FORE” Business Championship at East Sussex National Golf Resort & Spa.

Results

Rice (41) started the day five shots behind leader Matt Cort and needed to string some birdies together to put pressure on the leaders

Despite going out in two-under 34, he was still four shots behind Cort. However, a blemish-free back nine with four birdies, including a superb 12 footer from the fringe on the 18th, gave Rice a six-under 66 and the clubhouse lead on 11-under par.

Cort’s back nine was a completely different story and after bogeys at the 15th and 16th left him needing a par at the last to force a playoff, he bogeyed the 18th for a 74 and a share of fourth place.

A former Irish Professional Champion, Rice didn't expect to clinch victory.

“I’m surprised that I won, I really didn’t expect it and it will take a little while to settle in," he said. "It’s a real bonus.

“It’s always easier coming from behind, you’re in a position where you’re allowed to just go for it out there and take the risks that the guys out in front can’t necessarily make.

“It wasn’t until the 15th that I started to think that I could win, I holed a birdie putt and realised that if I could hold on I would be in with a great chance.

"I could see I was level with Matt at the time and heading down the 18th I just went for it with my approach shot, I wouldn’t normally have gone at the flag but that was the difference between me winning and not today.”

Mount Juliet's Luke Donnelly went into the final round just three shots behind but while a 74 as not what he had in mind, a share of 15th was his best finish of the season, moving him into the top 100 on the money list.

The 13th event of the season proved to be one for the underdogs, with four of the top five all starting outside the top 60 list in the Race To Desert Springs, only Chris Gane (Lefthanded Golf at Silvermere) could really capitalise on that with a third-place finish.

Dave Coupland also collected a top ten finish to extend the gap at the top of the leaderboard with just two regular events left in the season.

The win sees Rice leap up 59 spots to 13th in the Race To Desert Springs, and Chris Gane climbs up seven spots to regain a spot in the top five.

As well as receiving £10,000, Rice also received a Motocaddy S1 Electric Trolley, with features including a soft-touch ergonomic handle; low profile, quick-release wheels, a streamlined battery tray and super-fast QUIKFOLD assembly mechanism.

Highlights of the “FORE” Business Championship will air on Sky Sports Golf on Tuesday, 28 August. The PGA EuroPro Tour continues on Wednesday, 29 August with The Prem Group Irish Masters at Tulfarris Hotel and Golf, Wicklow.