Grand stand finish by North Region champion

Robert Booth landed his first major title when he won the PGA North Region Championship at Carus Green then passed on the credit to his boss Richard Lambert, the head professional at Crosland Heath.

“I was attached to the club for two years when he was my full-time coach promoting me to head assistant last season has provided a big boost to my career,” he said.

“I aim to win as many events as possible and hope to get to get into the PGA Play-Offs and a spot at Wentworth next year,” he vowed. “I’ve also been playing well in Yorkshire and EuroPro events and they all add up.”

Halifax-born Booth, 31, who drove to Leeds at the end of the first round to visit his mum, Hazel, in hospital,  added a 65 to his opening 67 for an eight-under-par total to prevail by a shot from Carlisle’s James Wilkinson.

“I hit the ball in the water twice on the first day but managed to stay in contention,” he added.

On a tightly-packed leaderboard Booth, who picked up £2,300 for his efforts, pulled away from his rivals with two birdies on the last three holes to add to the four he’d already banked. And he made a crucial par at the last where he admitted he was a “bit nervous” on the tee.

The only blemish on his card was a bogey at the eighth as Wilkinson matched his second round score without dropping a shot.

St Helens-based Barry Taylor finished third, two off the pace, as Pwllheli’s Mark Pilkington and fellow Welshman Garry Houston, attached to Carden Park, who shared a three-way overnight lead, tied fourth.