Miles all smiles

Golf Principles' Matt Miles recorded a debut victory on The PGA in Hampshire circuit - and he did it in style, writes Ken Gaunt.

He chalked up a five-under-par 66 to win the Hockley Pro-Am by a shot from Lee-on-the-Solent’s James Ablett.

Miles, 27, grew in confidence on the Winchester course with four of his six birdies coming down the home stretch.

After picking up £700 in prize-money, Miles, who is based at Golf Principles in his home town of Basingstoke, said: “It is still a bit of a shock.

“I was looking to make par but everything came together for a change, including my putting, which was a big help.

“Sometimes I have as many as 38 putts a round but this time  I was down to 29, which obviously makes a big difference.

“Mind you, I made it bit hard for myself when I left myself with a ten-footer for a birdie at the last. But luckily it went in.”

Before joining Golf Principles, Miles honed his skills at Royal Winchester, Tidworth, Basingstoke and Dummer.

He added: “I am pretty laid back and it was fun to play at Hockley. The good thing is by winning the event, I climbed 21 places in the Order of Merit.”