Five alive for Hendriksen

Paul Hendriksen continued his outstanding run in the West with his fifth win of the season in the Tolchards pro-am at Teignmouth.

A series of six birdies over his final 10 holes, with a back nine of five-under 29, countered successive dropped shots at the sixth and seventh as he posted four-under 65.

In addition to taking the national Titleist and Footjoy PGA Professional Championship at Burnham and Berrow, he has won the Total Triumph Classic at Oake Manor, the Fourball Championship with James Ruth (China Fleet) and the Minchinhampton pro-am.

But he was pressed all the way in the shotgun start event over the hill-top Devon course as Chris Gill (Newquay) produced his best finish of the season with six birdies in a 66 including four in his final six holes.

Low cloud, followed by torrential rain that flooded the greens, made it another headache for tournament controller Tom Sheffield and starter Bob Martin who squeegeed the greens. But play was possible 90 minutes late in glorious sunshine.

Paul Jones (Canford Magna) started superbly with a front nine of 31, but he dropped two shots on the return to finish third with Ruth who carded halves of 33 and 34.

Ashley Mansell (Clevedon), Lee Thompson (Dudsbury) and Ross Whitelock (St Mellion) each made eagles.

Gill completed his most profitable day of the season by leading the Simpkin Edwards team of John Coombs, Andrew Coombs and three-handicapper Somerset county player Fiona Beattie, who won the longest drive, to victory on 15-under 123.

They were followed by David Dixon (Enmore Park) on 128 leading the Heineken team Keith Benton, Colin Nolan and Simon Borden, the Churston Golf Club secretary. Service Master, headed by Whitelock with David Hunt, Rees Roberts and Colin Hatton were a further shot back in third.