Crossword Genius

Winning short hole twice in golf (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

gaining

'winning' is the definition.
('gain' can be a synonym of 'win')

'short hole twice in golf' is the wordplay.
'twice in' can mean two substitutions for 'in'.
'short' means to remove the last letter.
'hole' becomes 'gap'.
'golf' becomes 'g' (phonetic alphabet: alpha, bravo, charlie etc.).
'gap' with its last letter taken away is 'ga'.
'ga'+'in'+'in'+'g'='GAINING'

(Another definition for gaining that I've seen is " Obtain advantages".)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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