Thornton pips O’Hara to secure valuable tour starts and PGA Cup place

Spa Golf Club’s Simon Thornton closed with a three over 74 to win the PGA Playoffs by one stroke in Cyprus and a host of valuable DP World Tour and Challenge Tour starts.

The former DP World Tour winner (46) also secured a place in the Great Britain and Ireland PGA Cup team to face the USA in Oregon in September.

Thornton opened with rounds of 66 and 69 at Aphrodite Hills to trail Scotland’s Paul O’Hara by a shot on seven-under heading into the final round

But while he made three bogeys to slip back to four-under at the turn, he was tied with O’Hara, who went out in 40.

The Scot birdied the 10th as Thornton made bogey to leave the Spa golfer two behind.

But he made crucial birdie two at the 17th and O’Hara bogeyed the last two holes to shoot 76 to his 74.

Victory by the narrowest of margins secured Thornton starts in the DP World Tour’s Betfred British Masters, the Amgen Irish Open and the BMW PGA Championship as well as Challenge Tour starts in the Irish Challenge, the NI Open and the Farmfoods Scottish Challenge.