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It's been a cracking day - I'm going to remember this forever 

Background
Age: 28
Handicap: 2
Home club: Ulverston GC
Caddy: Mark Slater
Occupation: Mechanical Support Engineer for Sellafield
History: First time in the TT

Congratulations Rhys on winning the Yorkshire & NE Championship, how does it feel?
I'm in a daze - it still doesn't feel real! It's been a real shock - my thoughts were only ever to finish in the top twelve and qualify for the finals. I've played in quite a few events but nothing as big as this. It's a great feeling and still doesn't seem real.

What made you enter the TT?
I saw it on Sky Sports last year at Moortown and thought it looked really good. Throughout the summer I compete regularly in club competitions and I also represent the club in matchplay competitions but the Trilby Tour has been the biggest event I've played in - and won!

I compete regularly but the Trilby Tour is the biggest competiton I've ever played in - and won! 

How do you feel you played?
I got off to a slow start but midway through I played brilliantly. I birdied four out of five holes and got to 33 points after 15 holes. I didn't finish well though - in the last three holes I dropped quite a few shots. I was happy overall but it wasn't the best I've ever played.

When it came to the playoff I found it quite nerve-wracking especially at the first hole. At the first tee of the playoff I looked at the other lads and they looked a bit nervous. I thought if I could just keep it in play then I've got a chance.

I thought if I could just keep it in play then I've got a chance.

I was annoyed with myself after the first shot as it came up short and I ended up bogeying it. I was on a bit of a downer but then I birdied the second and was a lot more confident after that. The one thing I wasn't expecting was for the cameras to be so close during the playoff - they were really in your face which put me off a bit but after the first hole I settled down.

I never like being second best at anything - I'll always try again harder

What are your thoughts on the final?
I'm just going to try and finish in the top four - that's all I'm going for now.

What would winning the Trilby Tour Championship mean to you?
I haven't even thought about it - I just play round by round.

As part of your prize you won a William Hunt suit and a trip to Savile Row, how was that?
I went down to London to get fitted and made a day of it. I took my girlfriend with me and my caddy and his wife.

We all went to the William Hunt shop and I got fitted for my suit and then spent the rest of the day sightseeing - it was fantastic day and I've very happy with my suit.

What has been your greatest achievement so far?
I would say winning the Yorkshire Championship. But my ambition is to be off scratch in the future and I'm close to getting there.

My ambition is to be off scratch in the future and I'm close to getting there

Tell us about your background
I've been playing since I was 13 - it all started at a pitch and putt course with my grandad. We used to play each other and the loser would have to go and buy the ice-creams. But it was always him that was winning and me that had to go get the ice-creams!

Describe yourself in a sentence
Whatever sport I play I have to win. I never like being second best at anything - I'll always try again harder. I'm easygoing but quietly confident. I believe in what I do and I know that I'm good in what I do.

I'm quietly confident - I believe in what I do and know that I'm good in what I do

What's your motto in life?
Coming second is first loser. I hate losing at anything, I'm a very bad loser.

Who's your golf hero?
Its got to be Tiger Woods, he's the best by far. His outside life has nothing to do with his golf.

To William - thank you for the opportunity and all the memories. It's been brilliant and fantastic and makes you feel like a star

Any last words for William?
I'd like to thank him for the opportunity and for a cracking day. It's been brilliant and fantastic and so well organised it makes you feel like a star. Thank you for the custom made suit and all the memories - I'm going to remember this day forever.

See full results of the Yorkshire & NE Championship here

 

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