Hendriksen chases top spot again

Paul Hendriksen (Dinnaton) gave notice of his intention to regain top place in the Race to Woodbury Park Order of Merit by taming a tough St Mellion on a sweltering day to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the opening of the Nicklaus course.

The former Welsh amateur international, who lost his lead at the top to Sion Bebb (Vale Hotel) after the third OOM event at Bowood, captured the pro-am by two shots.

Hendrikesn is now showing the form that will make him one of the favourites at the Players Championship at Cumberwell Park.

Showing power and accuracy off the tee over one of the West’s most demanding courses, plus a skilful short game, he birdied the second hole and added four more at the seventh ,13th, 16th and 17th, dropping his only shot at the sixth.

His four-under-par 68 left him two ahead of Cheltenham’s Russ Berry (RB driving Range) while occasional player Jon Langmead (Exminster) was the only other player to finish under par in third on 71.

Langmead was three under at the turn but a double bogey at the par three 11th halted his progress and two bogeys and two birdies followed.

Berry, who enjoyed a good weekend in Cornwall, started with a bogey five but picked up birdies at the sixth, ninth, 13th and 16th, dropping his only other shot at the 15th.

Adam Frayne, a former St Mellion amateur, who made his PGA debut after playing on the satellite professional circuit, has joined Tim McSherry as a trainee at Yelverton.

Helped by an eagle at the seventh he signed for 73 to finish fourth, one ahead of Barry Austin (Downes Crediton) who plays rarely these days.

Hendriksen made it a double by leading in his team of John Knapman, Simon Knapman and Peter Knapman on 80 points. Llanwern trainee Scot Hood, playing in his first pro-am, led Tony Buttigieg, Ian Stewart and Peter Plechowicz into second place on 76, ahead of Austin’s trio of Stuart Jose, Martin Jose and Tony Cockayne on countback.