Iron man Hunt owes it to coach

Liam Hunt leapfrogged into pole position in the PGA North Assistants' Tour Order of Merit when he won the fourth in the series of five events by two shots at Bolton's Lostock Park.

And he attributed his three-under-par 67 to his new coach Alan Thompson, who still teaches at Heswall where he was professional for 40 years until he retired nine months ago.

"He's made some major changes to my swing and I owe everything to him," said Altrincham-born Hunt.

"My iron work was also solid and I putted well," he added.

After a spell as an assistant at High Legh Park he was taken under the wing of the club's former pro Andrew McKenzie, who owns Knutsford-based PremierGolf Management.

"He's provided me with sponsorship so I can play the Europro Tour," said Hunt, 25, who made a dream start with birdies at the first two holes then added four more, mixed with a trio of bogeys, on the home stretch.

Among four players sharing second place was Peter Finch, from Chilli Dip Academy at Blackrod, near Chorley, who was beaten in play-offs is his previous two events.

He's lying third in the Order of Merit behind Disley's Scott Jackson going into the final fixture, the Harold Lees Trophy at Dore & Totley On September 2-3.