Mathews finishes in style

Jeff Mathews conjured up some of his old magic to win the third event in the PGA North Mansell Finishes Winter Series at West Lancs.

The 52-year-old Newcastle-born professional at Oak Royal Golf & Country Club in the heart of the Red Rose county he moved to more than two decades ago, fired a five-under-par 67 over the testing Blundellsands links.

"Everything slotted into place," said the PGA Lancashire secretary and past regional captain who carded six birdies.

"I putted well which is always the key to low scoring round here."

Mathews, who also qualified for the Senior Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, on the same stretch of coastline in July, rolled in four birdies in his last eight holes from the second, blotting his card only once with a bogey at the 10th  where he started his round.

In-form Hart Common pro Steve Parry, winner at St Annes Old Links last month in the first in a series of six events, shared second place with Knutsford's Tim Maxwell.