Soto and Shave in close Northampton tussle

Nick Soto fought back from an uncharacteristically slow start to fire a 67 on his home track and share the winner’s cheque at The PGA in England (Midlands) Northampton pro-am.

Soto fired three twos among seven birdies in total to repair the damage of the two early bogies in his round.

His five-under-par total was matched by Craig Shave (Whetstone) who returned to the top of the leaderboard for the first time this year with an equally impressive round that included an early eagle and four further birdies.

In amongst a tightly packed field three golfers shared third, Simon Lilly (Wellingborough), Thomas Rastall (Sleaford) and Robert Bardsley (Moor Hall) managed 68s with the likes of Order of Merit leader Matthew Cort and ex-Ryder Cup star Paul Broadhurst also on form just a shot further back.

The pro-am was well supported by Northants-based local retailer Michael Jones Jewellers, 42 teams took to the fairways, among them was the fourball of Bulwell Forest's Andrew Willey who took away the team honours with a 127 total.