Cool hand Luke

Luke Goddard (Hendon) won the Ingrebourne Links Par-3 Championship by a stroke in blazing hot conditions.

The former Walker Cup ace fired rounds of 25 and 22 to finish at seven-under-par and just pip Glen Portelli (Old Fold Manor).

Goddard, 30, caught fire at the end of his second round, making four birdies in the closing five holes.

He drained a couple of 15 footers at the fifth and sixth before hitting his approaches in close on the final two greens.

He said: “It’s the first time I’ve played in the Par-3 Championship here and it’s been fantastic.

“I didn’t play great in the first round and just got up and down well to keep myself in it.

“But this afternoon I didn’t really put a foot wrong. It was quite good scoring conditions and people will have learnt from a few mistakes in the morning, so I knew the scoring would be a bit better.

“I thought if I can try and make a few birdies coming in, then I might give myself half a chance. And that’s happened.

“It’s a great event and I’ll definitely be coming back next year.”

James Taverner (Hendon) was third on five-under, while Jason Levermore (Little Channels Golf Centre) and David Salisbury (David Salisbury Golf) shared fourth spot.

The two days at Ingrebourne Links continues with a single-round Order of Merit event over the full-length North Course.