New pro Palmer seal victory at Delamere Forest

Chorley Golf Club’s Andy Palmer won the Titleist & FootJoy PGA Professional Championship North West qualifier to reach the final at his first attempt.

Palmer only qualified as a PGA professional last month and marked his first major event since then by finishing top of the leaderboard at Delamere Forest Golf Club.

He carded a four under par round of 67 at the Cheshire venue to finish one shot ahead of Sandiway Golf Club’s Gareth Jones.

They and 13 other qualifiers will now go to Little Aston Golf Club in Sutton Coldfield for the £78,000 grand final which is being held between July 24-27.

Palmer’s margin of victory could have been greater on a day when virtually everything fell into place for the Lancastrian.

“The only bad shot I hit all day was making a double bogey at the 14th hole,” he said.

“At that point, I said to myself that I just had to make sure I qualified and not to let it get to me.

“But I made a couple of birdies after that and it was the best I’d played for a long time.

“It was quite bouncy out there. I was pleased with how I played, it was the first time I’ve been eligible to play for it after graduating from the PGA course in April - only a few weeks ago.

“That meant I could play in this event.”

Chorley teaching professional Palmer has moved out of the PGA Assistants’ ranks and welcomed the chance to qualify at the Cheshire venue.

“The qualifiers for the Assistants’ final were at Hesketh which is very different to Delamere Forest which I prefer,” explained the former PGA EuroPro Tour player.

“So I’m looking forward to playing at Little Aston where I’ve played before in the English Amateur Championship, but that was a while ago now.”