Pickard’s anniversary win at Tavistock

James Pickard (Honiton) won the Devon and Cornwall PGA Tavistock 125^th anniversary pro-am with a six-under-par 65 for his first triumph in 15 months.

He made the perfect start with four successive birdies to be out in 31. He was back in two-under 34 as his tally of birdies increased to eight.

Pickard, who once had aspirations of becoming a professional cricketer, won two dual-county events in 2011 and a Titleist-Footjoy League tournament before taking first place in the PGA Professional Championship qualifier at Bowood last year.

The region’s busiest player Richard O’Hanlon (St Kew) made six birdies to finish was runner-up one shot behind.

Devon PGA secretary Christian Vine (Woodbury) romped through the opening nine in five-under 31 with an eagle at the fifth and three birdies. But he faltered and returned in one-over to share third with Dominic Rehaag (China Fleet) who recovered from making a double bogey six at the second with five birdies and no further dropped shots in his 67.

Tom Jessamine (Woodbury Park) and Jason Fullard (Torquay) shared fifth on 69. Six players tied for seventh on one-under 70.

Paul Turpin (Carlyon Bay) brought in the winning team on 89, a shot ahead of Shaun Ashley (Staddon Heights) and Jessamine who beat Vine and Rehaag on countback.