The 91st Sunningdale Foursomes reached a dramatic conclusion on Friday [March 14] with David Corben and Harry Crockett sealing a fantastic 1-up victory over Monty Holcombe and Oscar Lent after finding themselves two down with three holes to play.
In an all-amateur final with both pairs having played golf for Surrey, things looked bleak for the eventual winners when Holcombe and Lent – from Walton Heath – edged two in front on Sunningdale Old’s par-3 15th hole.
But Corben struck a near-perfect 8-iron to three feet on the 16th, which allowed Crockett to clean up for birdie, before Lent and Holcombe bogeyed 17 to ensure the match was all square heading up the par-4 last.
From there, Lent and Corben found the green in regulation but Holcombe, facing a long putt from the front of the putting surface, ran his effort five feet past and when Lent missed the returning putt for par, it allowed Corben to clean matters up with a four to claim a famous win.
“It feels so emotional,” said Corben, 37, who plays out of Hindhead. “It was so close and such a battle but we stuck in there and worked so hard. Losing wasn’t really an option but we were of course up against it after 15 so it was nice to hit that shot into 16 to give us a chance.
“However, I just wanted to fight until the end for my playing partner. He was exceptional.
“Monty and Oscar are two great players who I have got to know in recent years through playing for Surrey. I knew when I first met them that they were going to be great players and they showed how good they are today. I am sure their time will come, but for us it is so special to know that we will have our name on the famous Sunningdale Foursomes winners’ board.”
Crockett, 23, from Addington Palace, who earlier in the match had made two vital clutch putts on the 7th and 8th holes to save par with Lent and Holcombe looking like they would edge away, added: “It feels incredible to win this event.
“David showed his class in those closing holes and it feels very special. The Foursomes is one of golf’s most famous tournaments so to win it is unreal.”
Earlier in the day, Corben and Crockett overcame last year’s winners and favourites Dylan Shaw-Radford and Harley Smith 1-up in their semi-final. Lent and Holcombe, meanwhile, won by the same score against professionals Harry Walch – representing Quail Hollow – and former Walker Cup player Angus Flanagan (St George’s Hill).
STANDOUT PLAYERS
It proved another memorable week at Sunningdale, with 128 pairs teeing it up across Tuesday’s opening day. In an event that is open to both amateurs and professionals, there were a number of standout names that drew huge crowds to the iconic Berkshire venue.
Former Tottenham Hotspur, Real Madrid and Wales legend Gareth Bale was playing in his first Sunningdale Foursomes.
He exited in the first round with playing partner Matthew Wylie, however, Solheim Cup superstars Charley Hull and Georgia Hall proved one of the stories of the tournament, advancing to the last 16 before falling to Tom Shadbolt and Ben Evans 4 & 3.
ABOUT THE FINALISTS
David Corben – Handicap +3.4
Surrey County Champion 2015, 2016, 2019
Surrey County Captain 2014-17, 2022-2024
Harry Crockett – Handicap +5
US Amateur participant 2024
Surrey County Champion 2023
Oscar Lent – Handicap +4.5
England Boys Squad 2024-25
England team at European Boys 2024
Monty Holcombe – Handicap +4.2
England Boys Squad 2023-24
Won Peter Alliss Trophy 2022
A full list of updated results and scores from the Sunningdale Foursomes can be found here
