Lee leaves it late to pip Davis

The Rayleigh Club’s Ricky Lee drained a birdie at the first extra play-off hole to pip Mark Davis (above) for the Essex Open.

Lee from The Rayleigh Club becomes the fourth amateur to lift the Essex Open in 95 years.

He and Thorndon Park’s David, carded one over 139 totals for 36 holes in appalling conditions necessitating the play-off.

Lee joins a small but distinguished group which includes Britain’s finest ever amateur, Sir Michael Bonnallack who won the trophy in 1969.

For Davis, who flew out to play in the US Seniors PGA Championship the following day, it was a disappointing end but he did have the compensation of taking the winner’s cheque.

In third place was Matt King from Rayleigh Driving Range on 142, one shot ahead of Scott Clark from Benton Hall.