Hendriksen ties with Senior ace Mouland

Paul Hendriksen continued his outstanding form this year by winning for the fourth time on the PGA in England and Wales (South & West) schedule to extend his lead at the top of the regional money list.

The Ivybridge player produced the most consistent round of the day to sign for five-under-par 66 over Celtic Manor’s Twenty Ten Ryder Cup course (shortened for the day to just 6,500 yards).

Five birdies and 13 pars featured in a faultless round of halves of 34 and 32.

His birdie four on the memorable final hole was enough to join European Senior Tour player Mark Mouland at the top of the leaderboard.

The popular Welshman, who won twice on the main tour, looked favourite to win outright as he stood on the 16th tee at seven-under-par after making a two for his eighth birdie of the day. But he dropped shots at the next two holes and returned in two-under 33.

Mouland, the winner of this year’s British Par 3 Championship title for the second time – worth €50,000 - started superbly and, despite a bogey at the par three seventh, looked unbeatable until former Welsh amateur international Hendriksen appeared.

It was an even more remarkable return as he was suffering from illness although he remained to make the victory speech at prize-giving. This was welcomed by his amateurs Nick Grimmitt, Richard Jeremy and Steve Charles for his birdie blitz helped them win the team prize as well.

Another Welshman Sion Bebb (Morlais Castle) and Carl Shoulder, Oliver Moore and Wayne Dewey were one shot behind on 82 followed in third by Nick Terry (Poult Wood Golf Centre) with Darren Miller, Reece Millen and Kieron Power on 81.

Former PGA champion Scott Drummond also took advantage of the sunny, windless conditions to claim fourth when he, too, looked a probable winner after reaching four under after the 11th hole. But he dropped two shots.

Home player Joe Ferguson shared fourth with Craig Sutherland (Cherry Lodge) thanks to a fine finish with birdies at the 11th, 15th and 17th. Matt Dearden (Cardiff) and Richard O’Hanlon (St Kew) were the only other players to break par on 70 in equal sixth.