Home winner at Dudsbury

** Paul Palmer (general manager, Dudsbury) and Sara Pemburton (Ringwood Brewery) with winner Lee Thompson

After winning the 36-hole Dudsbury Masters by one shot in a gripping finale Lee Thompson, 43, admitted that he felt his chances of success had gone after he lost his two-shot overnight lead on the back nine.

“I didn’t think it was going to be my day because it was tough out there,” he said after victory in his home Order of Merit tournament sponsored by Ringwood Brewery. Although he was the favourite he insisted: “It is never easy when you play at home for people expect you to do well.

 ”The pin positions were difficult and a crosswind caused numerous problems. I didn’t help myself either because, although I hit the ball really well, I couldn’t sink a putt although the greens were fast and in excellent shape.”

He was three-over-par for his round and had been caught by Ross Langdon (South Cerney), Grant Slater (Trevose) and Adam Frayne (Yelverton) until he made his solitary birdie with his only single putt from 12 feet on the 16^th.

Although he retained his one-stroke advantage standing on the 18th tee, the result was still in the balance after his drive swerved right into a cluster of trees.  But he manufactured a superb low 4-iron through a slender gap 18 yards through the green. An exquisite chip and three-foot putt was enough.

It brought admiring glances from Stuart Little, the former European Tour player from Minchinhampton and his coach.

“Stu has spent a lot of time working on my swing – now we must work on my putting,” he said.

Moments earlier Paul Hendriksen, fresh from winning the Titleist-Footjoy PGA Professional Championship at Burnham, blew his chances by taking seven at the par five 17th although a brilliant birdie at the last brought sixth spot.

Others had chances as well. Frayne produced a sensational homeward run.

Starting with an eagle three he followed with four birdies for a six-under 30. But serious damage had been done with a triple bogey seven at the ninth.

Slater was two under after 11, Langdon also had a birdie chance at the last but his 15-footer slid a fraction wide.

All three runners-up enjoyed the satisfaction of achieving their best OOM results worth more than £1,000 each.

Ashburnham club professional Martin Stimson, who was Thompson’s closest challenger after a first round 68, crashed out of contention with a triple bogey at the 17th.

James Ruth (China Fleet) was also close after an opening two-under 69 but, needing a birdie at the last, he three-putted for bogey.

Thurlestone assistant Jack Wallace, who shared fourth in the first round, took nine at the tenth and faded away. Joe Ferguson (Celtic Manor) regretted double bogeys at the 13th and last when the title was in sight.