Gowers recaptures England days to win Powerade qualifier

Former England amateur international Robert Gowers topped the leaderboard at Laleham Golf Club to win the Powerade PGA Assistants' Championship South qualifier.

Gowers, of South Winchester Golf Club, won by just one shot at the Surrey venue after recording a two-under-par 68.

Also among the qualifiers was Prince's assistant Brittany Burton who, hot on the heels of women dominating the recent Titleist Assistant of the Year awards, showed she can compete on an equal footing on the course with two birdies in her last four holes to book a place in the final along with 20 other qualifiers from the event.

They will contest the £32,500 FootJoy-supported final which will be held on August 7-9 at Coventry Golf Club.

Hampshire-based Gowers, 22, who has just completed his third year of PGA training, admitted he will feel at home with the format after showing promise as a teenager.

He said: “The way the final is set up, two rounds and a cut, is something I’ve played before so I’m looking forward to Coventry. I’m used to the style of the event.

“I just missed out in a play-off last year so this’ll be my first final.

“It’s come at a good time as I’ll be looking to play as much golf as I was before I came to South Winchester to take the PGA course.

“Before that I played a lot and represented England as an amateur before getting my first job here. Now I want to pick up on the playing side again.”

Former Brokenhurst Manor player Gowers admitted that he had to battle difficult conditions to win the final, but he made a strong start with two birdies.

He added: “It was very windy out there, but I felt I played well considering.

“Only a couple of players got under par so I’m pleased.

“I made a few mistakes, but that was more down to rustiness than anything else as this was really my first big tournament of the year.