Delighted! That’s Palmer

Overnight leader Andrew Palmer won a three-man play-off in the PGA North Region Championship at Pleasington with a birdie at the first extra hole.

But the 30-year-old Chorley player twice rode his luck in normal time when he chipped out of a difficult lie on the 17th then parred the last after tangling with the rough.

“I don’t play as often these days because I do a lot of coaching so I was delighted with my win,” he said.

And he was doubly pleased because his Chorley boss Mark Bradley won the same title several years ago so both are names are on the trophy.

“If I had a sponsorship I would play a lot more but I have to teach to earn a living,” said Palmer. “I’m not guaranteed to earn any money from playing because the standard it so high but this has been my best win so far.

“It has lifted me higher up the Order of Merit and that means I can play against almost anyone in the region in future.”

LEADING SCORES: 138 Andy Palmer (Chorley) 68 70, Oliver Smith (Ashton on Mersey) 69 69, Jamie Howarth (Davenport) 69 69; 139 Gareth Davies (Abbeydale) 73 76, Alex Belt (Snainton Golf Centre) 72 67; 141 Peter Finch (Quest Golf Academy) 72 69, Mark Pilkington (Porthmadog) 71 70, Jason Dransfield (Davenport) 71 70; 142 Graham Cox (Lymm) 76 66, Timothy Dykes (Penrith)73 69, Steve Parry (NW Golf Academy/Hart Common) 71 71; 143 Phil Archer (Poulton Park) 73 70. David Shacklady (Ormskirk) 73 70, Alexander Webb (Lancaster) 72 71.