Langdon enjoys the seaside

Ross Langdon won the third Titleist and Footjoy Sprint Series event beside the seaside at Minehead and hopes to land one of the five sponsorship packages.

The Brickhampton Court teaching professional, now in his final season in an event restricted to assistants and players under the age of 30, made a remarkable start. He was six-under-par after the opening nine with an eagle two at the 378-yard second when he holed a 60-yard wedge and birdies at the first, fifth, sixth and ninth.

But, after another birdie at the 11^th, like the majority of the field, he struggled on the tougher back nine into the wind and returned in one over 36 for 67.

“It was brutal on the back nine into the very strong wind,” he said. “But I just managed to hold on. I would probably have been better placed in the OOM if I had played the first event at Radyr but I didn’t think I was eligible this season as I am 30.

“But later Rob Moss (the regional manager) said I did qualify so I am playing the rest of the events. It’s a really good competition and the rewards are good.”

Another seasoned player James Ruth (China Fleet) eagled the seventh and three further birdies took him out in 32 but three bogeys left him three shots behind the leader.

Mark Pitcher (Stinchcombe Hill), the winner at Radyr, made five birdies in 71 to share third with the consistent Adam Curtis (Bude) who made three birdies in a steady round.

Craig Melding (Neath) and Tom Jessamine (Exeter) were a further shot back and the Welshman now assumes fifth place in the Order of Merit. Curtis leads Ruth by nine points with Pitcher third and Langdon has risen to fourth, despite missing the first round.

The next leg of the five-stage series is at Cumberwell Park on May 10 while the final standings will be determined at Yelverton on May 22.