Nessling in command at Canterbury qualifier

Paul Nessling produced a convincing display to win the English PGA Championship qualifying round at Canterbury Golf Club.

The Cooden Beach Golf Club professional has kicked off the domestic season in style and won by two shots at the Kent venue.

Nessling made a steady start before bogeying the fifth hole. But the East Sussex player followed that up with three birdies in the next four holes to put him back on track.

His nearest rival was the reigning English PGA Champion Ben St John of Woodcote Park Golf Club who shot a one under par round of 70.

St John won the event the last time it was held in 2010.

They join 11 other qualifiers for the £30,000 final which will be held at Saunton Golf Club in Devon between June 27-29.

“I’d never played at Canterbury before but it was a nice course and in good condition for this time of year,” he said.

“I didn’t start particularly well, but the last 12 or 13 holes were very nice and I got through okay.”

Nessling - who has been prominent in the last two PGA Professional Championship finals - welcomed the return of the competition.

“It sounds like something new and a decent competition, I’ve always thought we should have a Championship,” he added.

“Hopefully it can be a good event and this is another event for me to aim for.”

And he admits that the final venue will be another trip into the unknown for him.

“I’ve never played at Saunton, so that’d be nice to play there for sure,” he said.

“My form’s looking okay so far, it’s been a good start to the season, it’s just a case of whether I can keep it up.”