GOLF NEWS
Inspirational Thornton
earns Player plaudits
Golf legend Gary Player was among the many heaping plaudits on to Irish PGA Professional Simon Thornton after his maiden European Tour title at Saint Omer .
English-born , but now an Irish citizen , Thornton ’ s golfing rags to riches story – he was playing off a seven handicap just a decade ago – has captured the imagination .
Nine-time major winner Player , tweeted “ Congratulations Simon Thornton on your @ European _ Tour victory at Saint Omar , France . Hard to believe you were a 7 handicap just 10 years ago ”.
Thornton scooped the Najeti Hotels et Golfs Open title in a play-off with South Africa ’ s Tjaart Van der Walt – having sank a 10-foot putt to force the sudden death shootout .
His success has capped a fairytale rise to the upper echelons of elite level golf which began under the expert eye of Royal County Down head pro Kevan Whitson .
Taken on at the club as a temporary summer placement , Thornton impressed with his attitude , sufficient to be taken on to the PGA training programme by Whitson . read more
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