Old Epsomian Ross McGowan (Crawfurd, 1995-2000) ended an 11-year wait for a European Tour title with a one-shot win at the Italian Golf Open. The 38-year-old world number 560 birdied two of his last three holes to finish on 20 under, one clear of Canter and Colsaerts. It came 11 years after he claimed his first European Tour victory at the Madrid Masters.
There were eight players within one shot of top spot before Ross holed a spectacular bunker shot at the 16th and then a 20-foot birdie putt on the final green for a one-under 71.
In his end of tournament interview Ross said: “I’m very happy, not happy with the way I played particularly, but I got the ball in the hole which in the past has been my nemesis, so it was nice to be able to do that this week. I didn’t really foresee this, my form hasn’t been great. But I felt like I was playing better, definitely around the greens.”
In his final year at Epsom, Ross was Captain of Golf and a member of the College team that reached the finals of the HMC Foursomes Competition. He played golf for his university, University of Tennessee, and won the English Amateur in 2006, turning professional shortly after.
Photo credit: Press Association 2020
