Skelmanthorpe golfer Marcus Armitage has landed a £200,000 payday after clinching the Porsche European Open in Germany.
The tournament took place over three days in Hamburg and is one of the biggest competitions in the sport. Former winners include legendary figures like Lee Westwood and Colin Montgomerie.
Marcus, 33, has secured a “life-changing” biggest career win and has now entered the list of the top 30 golfers on the European Tour.
On his win, Marcus said: “Twenty years ago I lost my mum, and I’ve dreamt about this day since then, being a winner. You have times where you don’t think it will happen but I stuck with it. I’m sure she’s proud of me.
“I really thank all my team, but this win is for me. It’s for all those lonely days where I was just practising, it’s for all those days I was dealing with life. I’m sure lots of people do the same. However deep down this win is for me.”
Marcus plays at Howley Hall Golf Club near Batley and head professional Ryan Rastall said: “This is his first win on the European Tour. He’s played several events now where he has been getting better and better but this is his best one yet obviously.
“He had a good season last season but this win is just absolutely massive for him. When you win something like this it changes your life, it’s that big.
“There have been some very, very good golfers who have played in hundreds of events in their careers and never won a thing. So for Marcus to win this and get over the line, he has achieved something that’s unbelievably difficult to do.
“I can imagine different sponsors will be jumping at him now too. However all this is nothing short of what he deserves. This win won’t just change this year for him, it’s changed his life.”
Marcus lost his mum Jean to cancer when he was just 14 and winning was an emotional moment for him.
Ryan added: “I know how much it means to him. He has had ups and downs in sport like we all do but he deserves every success because he’s a great guy.
“He has worked incredibly hard to get to this point. He’s always been dedicated to the sport and deserves every bit of success that comes his way.”
With Marcus winning the competition it qualifies him to play in one of the biggest tournaments in the golfing calendar, the US Open. Ryan insists this would be a fantastic occasion for Marcus.
He said: “The US Open in a month’s time is one of the biggest sporting competitions on the planet with the very best golfers playing there. So I should imagine he’ll be very excited to step on a plane to fly to California very soon. I’m sure knowing Marcus he’ll want to go there and win it too!
“He’s moved into the top 30 golfers in the order of merit on the European Tour. If you get into the top 65 you can play for big money at the end of the season. So he’s now well in that bracket being in the top 30.”
