REUBEN HARVEY WINS SUFFOLK OPEN IN TENSE PLAY OFF

Yesterday's Suffolk Open Championship, hosted amidst scorching conditions at Rookery Park Golf Club, unfolded as a gripping event culminating in Aldeburgh's Reuben Harvey clinching victory on the very first extra hole of a riveting playoff, outlasting formidable adversaries in Sam Forgan from Felixstowe and James Tyler of Ipswich.

The morning session kicked off with Charlie Sadler of Flempton and Phil Westley from Hintlesham setting the pace, carding impressive one-under-par scores of 71. Hot on their heels, James Tyler and Sam Forgan posted equally commendable rounds of 72. Reuben Harvey, along with Jimmy Price and Mark Fosker from Felixstowe, launched their campaign with solid 73s.

The afternoon was marked by James Tyler's dazzling display, racking up a staggering 5 birdies in the front 9 holes to go three-under-par. Meanwhile, Josh Driver from Diss electrified the crowd by making a hole-in-one with his tee shot on the 14th. Sam and Reuben maintained their composure with steady performances.

Charlie Sadler's consistent play in the afternoon, securing a 74, positioned him as the leader in the clubhouse. However, Jimmy Price endured a few setbacks on the back 9, finishing three over par, which left the trio of Sam, Reuben, and James to wage a thrilling battle for supremacy.

The closing holes witnessed a captivating showcase of golfing prowess from all three contenders. James Tyler faced a nail-biting wait for a ruling on the 17th hole, ultimately resolving in his favour as his ball was deemed in bounds, resulting in a bogey. His final hole, the par-3 9th, showcased his putting prowess, as he sank a 10-foot putt to finish one under par.

Meanwhile, Sam faced the Par-5 18th hole, needing a birdie to level with James and force a playoff. He executed a flawless tee shot, followed by an iron shot to the heart of the green, setting up a two-putt that earned him a spot in the playoff. Reuben, tackling the 9th hole at one under par, required a birdie for victory. However, his iron shot veered slightly off course, landing him in a challenging bunker position. Reuben, displaying exceptional skill and unwavering nerves, executed a remarkable bunker shot to within six feet of the hole, and with nerves of steel, he drained the putt, creating a three-way tie.

As the light continued to dim, the trio, along with several competitors and spectators, assembled at the 15th hole for the playoff. James Tyler was the first to tee off, delivering a magnificent iron shot squarely onto the fairway. Sam's iron shot, on the other hand, found itself nestled in the right-hand rough beneath towering trees. Rueben opted for a 3-wood, grazing the right tree line, but the ball managed to find the fairway, approximately 150 yards from the pin.

Despite the encroaching darkness, Rueben maintained his focus and precision, finding the right edge of the green with his second shot. Sam executed an exceptional recovery from the trees, leaving himself with a challenging 15-yard chip. James, positioned approximately 100 yards from the pin, pitched his shot to around 25 feet above the hole.

Sam's chip narrowly missed the mark, settling about 10 feet away, while Rueben's putt came within a five-foot range. James, rolling his putt approximately seven feet past the hole, added to the tension. Both Sam and James missed their putts, leaving Rueben with the momentous opportunity to sink his putt and claim the title of Suffolk Open Champion, a feat he accomplished with exceptional courage and precision, sealing his place in golfing history.

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