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Nick Jones and Chaka DeSilva share spoils in final Moongate Tour medal event

Chaka DeSilva (left) and Nick Jones finished tied for first during the final Moongate Tour medal event at Port Royal Golf Course yesterday (Photograph supplied)
Left to right: Camiko Smith, Remy Bonne-Smith, Nick Jones and Jevon Roberts shake hands at the 18th green at Port Royal Golf Course yesterday. (Photograph Colin Thompson)
Nick Jones (right) and caddie Remy Bonne-Smith (Photograph Colin Thompson)

Nick Jones and Chaka DeSilva settled for a share of the spoils after finishing tied for first during the final medal event of the inaugural Moongate Tour at Port Royal Golf Course yesterday.

The two professionals exploited the favourable conditions on offer on the way to carding impressive rounds of two-under 69.

Jones was three under with one hole left to play after rattling in a fourth birdie for the round at the par-five 17th

However, he dropped a shot on the final hole which ultimately cost him the outright victory.

He went into the final medal event trailing amateur Damian Palanyandi in the Moongate Tour Order of Merit by a slim 2.5 points.

“I came in knowing I was behind Damian in the points and I really wanted to play well and give him a run for his money,” Jones told The Royal Gazette.

“I have been working hard with my caddie Remy Bonne-Smith and working hard on my game and it came together today.”

Jones was one under at the turn and made the perfect start coming in on the back nine having carded successive birdies at ten and eleven to dip to three under before a late wobble left the door open for DeSilva.

Things might have also panned out entirely differently had Jones not squandered a short birdie putt at the par-four, 12th.

“I missed a one-foot putt on 12 for another birdie, so it definitely can be better and I am excited,” he added.

DeSilva was also cruising at three under before dropping a shot at the par-four, 15th after his tee shot missed the fairway which dashed his own hopes for the outright victory.

“I was trying to shape a two iron down the left side and I missed it and ended up down 17,” the Tour co-founder said.

He had another opportunity to get it back to three-under but was unable to convert a birdie attempt on the penultimate hole.

“I had a pretty good opportunity to birdie 17 but unfortunately I lipped out from a couple of feet,” DeSilva added.

“But I can’t complain about today at all. I didn’t have myself in too many situations where I was under pressure and the golf course was right in front of me for most of the day.”

Fellow professional Dwayne Pearman finished a shot back in third at one-under 70 to round off the podium finishers.

“It was a pretty good round; I hit the ball really good and was very pleased,” he said.

“I putted well. I have been putting good for a little and I just haven’t really been scoring.

“But I was pleased with the way I hit it. I made three birdies and two bogeys.

“From tee to green I was pretty solid, so it was a pretty good day overall.”

Professional Camiko Smith finished at one-over 72 and amateur Gordon Cox at three-over 74 to round off the top five finishers at the 18-hole event.

Smith made the turn at one under but lost momentum after making double bogey at the par four, tenth hole.

He gave himself good birdie looks coming in but was unable to capitalise and close the gap on the leaders.

“It wasn’t my best, but I managed to keep it together,” Smith said.

“I had it to one under and doubled bogeyed 10. But kept to the process and kept plugging away and just stayed in the game.

“I missed a couple of birdie chances I had out there to catch Nick and it just didn’t happen.

“But overall I am OK with where my game is trending.”

The inaugural Moongate Tour will conclude with the Tour Championship at Port Royal on September 16 and 17 featuring the top 18 players and ties in the Order of Merit.

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Published August 27, 2022 at 7:59 am (Updated August 27, 2022 at 7:49 am)

Nick Jones and Chaka DeSilva share spoils in final Moongate Tour medal event

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