Whitnell's magnificent start to PGA Tour (From Gazette)

Essex golfer Dale Whitnell has made a brilliant start to his professional career

12:31pm Monday 14th December 2009 in Golf news

Five Lakes professional Dale Whitnell made a sensational start to his career in the paid ranks in the first event of the year on the full European Tour.

The former Walker Cup amateur international only gained a place in the star-studded field for the Alfred Dunhill Championship at the Leopard Creek Country Club in Malelane, South Africa, due to a sponsor’s invitation.

But he produced a magnificent 12 under par 276 total to finish joint fourth and collect a pre-Christmas cash bonus of 38,825 euros.

Whitnell opened with a two under par 70 followed by a four under 68 to be well-placed at the halfway stage.

A third round par 72 made it less likely that he’d be ending with a big cheque, but he hit superb form in a bogey-free final round of 66, six under.

Among the stars he left trailing in his wake was top South African player Ernie Els, the former Open and US Masters champion, who had to settle for a share of 17th spot.

Whitnell, who failed to win through the full Euro Tour qualifying school, will play most of his golf on the secondary European Challenge Tour in the 2009/10 campaign.

But he’s immediately illustrated that, when he gets the chance with the big boys through routes such as sponsor invitations, he’s more than equal to the task.

Whitnell’s final round saw him collect birdies at the second and sixth on the way out and he hit a real purple patch on the way back with birdies at 12, 13, 15 and 16.

Victory went to Spain’s Pablo Martin, who collected 158,500 euros for finishing 17 under par.