More success for Taverner

James Taverner (above) clinched a thrilling victory in the Marston’s Beer Company Trainees Championship by sinking a 30-foot birdie putt in a play-off at Bishop’s Stortford.

Taverner (Hendon GC) finished 36 holes of regulation play at six-under-par alongside David Salisbury (American Golf Discount Centre).

Then, with the light fading fast, he took the title in dramatic fashion by holing out from long range at the first extra hole.

First to putt on the opening par four, Taverner, 28, produced a moment of magic that his rival almost matched. From the fringe, Salisbury struck a brave putt of his own, only to see it horseshoe out.

That left Taverner triumphant, following up his breakthrough Order of Merit victory in the Weston Homes plc/Royal Cromer Classic in late July.

He said: “The putt to win felt great as soon as it left the blade. It tracked all the way and dropped dead centre at perfect pace.

“I was especially pleased because I didn't hole enough putts in round two and so spent an hour practising my putting while I waited for the play-off to start. The hard work paid off and it was mission accomplished for the day.”

Taverner’s latest success was based around a sizzling first-round 64 in which he crammed in six birdies and an eagle.

His seven-under-par tally was two better than Salisbury’s at the halfway stage.

With damp and overcast conditions making life tougher in the afternoon, Taverner shot a second-round 72.

That left the door ajar for Salisbury whose 70 took the championship into extra time in which Taverner delivered his knockout blow.

The victor added: “This is an important win. I finished third in this event in 2013 and 2014 and was determined to improve on that on my final attempt. I played some good golf today and am pleased with the result.”

Third was Nick Pateman (Pinner Hill), who compiled two fine rounds of 69 and 68. Chase Davis (Stapleford Abbotts) has been having a great season and continued his run of results with a fourth-place finish, thanks to scores of 68 and 71.