Loughrey admits nerves en route to first title

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Wrag Barn golfer Josh Loughrey admitted he felt the pressure en route to his first Alps Tour title after clinching the Tunisian Open by three shots.

Loughrey led the tournament from start to finish but told YourSportSwindon he was nervous throughout the four day event.

The 24-year-old held a share of the lead going into the final day but romped to victory thanks to a superb six under par final round of 66.

Earlier in the week Loughrey had predicted 15 under par would win the title and he wasn’t far off as his 16 under par final score comfortably held off nearest rivals Leo Lespinasse and Liam Harper.

Loughrey admitted he felt nervous en route to victory but was delighted to have won his maiden title on the Alps Tour, saying: “I’m so happy to win this, especially as it was a four dayer and having led from the first day.

“Sleeping on the lead each night was difficult. And I felt nervous from after round two. But I managed to hold it together just on day three but a few nervous mistakes crept in.

“But today (the final round) was amazing. I didn’t hit it great in warm up and hit it poor on the first hole. I lipped in for par from three foot, so it was just a bit nervy.

“I hit my second to a foot on the second and got a great birdie on four. I missed a tiny birdie chance on six but made an incredible par on seven after hitting it in the trees and having to chip out.

“I got up and down with an eight iron from 140 yards and holed a lovely swinging 15ft putt there. Then my four birdies were flawless from there.

“It felt amazing to get some breathing space from the rest of the field. I played solid on the way in, but definitely felt nervous. My par on 18 felt so good too.

“I hit it in the fairway trap and had 162 yards to the pin over water into wind. I hit it really crisp and on a good line and then two putted to win by three.”

Loughrey’s success takes him to the top of the Alps Tour Order of Merit on 10,541 points.