MCBRIDE WINS CLUTCH FINALE AND HOTELPLANNER TOUR PROMOTION
The Island's Paul McBride won the Clutch Pro Tour's Tour CHampionship and promotion to the HotelPlanner Tour. (Photo: Andy Crook)
Paul McBride produced a stunning final-round at Slaley Hall to win the Clutch Pro Tour Championship and, in the process, secure his place on the HotelPlanner Tour for 2027.
The Island professional began the season-ending tournament outside the all-important promotion places, sitting eighth in the Order of Merit. But victory in the finale lifted McBride into the top three and secured one of the coveted full HotelPlanner Tour cards available to the leading players on the Clutch circuit.
McBride had positioned himself perfectly heading into the final round after opening with a four-under 68 before adding a 70 to reach six-under-par. That left him tied for second, just one shot behind England's Ben Hutchinson, with Aaron Edwards-Hill also in contention.
Playing in the final group, McBride wasted no time in taking control. He birdied each of the opening three holes before adding further birdies at the fourth and fifth to move five under for his opening five holes.
Another birdie at the eighth saw the Irishman build a substantial advantage as he reached the turn, but Hutchinson refused to surrender.
The pressure intensified over the closing stretch as McBride dropped shots and Hutchinson produced birdies at the 16th and 17th. However, the drama was settled at the last when Hutchinson found trouble and made a double bogey, allowing McBride to finish as a two-stroke winner.
The victory was particularly significant after McBride had already enjoyed two wins on the Clutch Pro Tour during the season. His latest success ensured he did not have to rely on the results of his rivals to secure promotion.
"I'm feeling great," McBride said afterwards. "A little bit of relief, but I played really, really well today."
He admitted that the closing stages became increasingly tense after Hutchinson's late charge, saying the Englishman's long putts on the 16th and 17th had "put the squeeze on a little bit".
"But yeah, I'm really happy with how I played and I'm delighted with the win," McBride added.
The promotion represents a major step forward for McBride, who will now have the opportunity to compete regularly on the HotelPlanner Tour, the official second tier of European professional golf and a recognised pathway towards the DP World Tour.
"It’s brilliant [to earn promotion to the HotelPlanner Tour]," McBride said. "It hasn't sunk in yet... but I'm delighted and I can't wait to get out there next year and give it a rip."
Paul McBride (right), Ben Hutchinson, Giles Evans at Slayley Hall after securing promotion to the HotelPlanner Tour. (Photo Credit: Andy Crook)