Rob top at the Hill

Robert Coles (Maylands Golf and Country Club) received a confidence boost before this week’s BMW PGA Championship thanks to a two-shot triumph in the Muswell Hill Pro-Am.

Coles, 45, will be playing in the prestigious Wentworth tournament for the tenth time. And he tuned up nicely for it by firing a three-under round of 68 in North London.

The Essex professional had a mixed front nine that included a double bogey at the par-4 third hole.

But he stamped his class on the event with a brilliant burst of scoring around the turn.

Coles made four successive birdies from the ninth to reach three-under. He would secure a further gain at the 16th before giving a stroke back at the following hole.

For a while it looked as if Nic Cains (Swaffham) would match or even better Coles’ score. Norfolk’s rising star made an eagle at the ninth and two ensuing birdies left him at four-under with six to play.

But Cains was unable to sustain his challenge and three dropped shots in the closing four holes left him at one-under, tied for second with Phil Abbott (Whipsnade Park) and Glen Portelli (Old Fold Manor).