Taverner takes ‘home’ pro-am

James Taverner enjoyed a ‘home’ triumph with victory in the pro-am at Hendon where he is an assistant professional.

Taverner shot a three-under-par round of 67 – one better than Portuguese-based Louis Farrelly, who also used to work at the Middlesex club.

Taverner (pictured above after his 2014 Weston Homes plc Royal Cromer Classic win) could actually have won by a much more emphatic margin were it not for a bogey at the first and a ‘double’ at the last. But in between those slip-ups, he played some sunning golf and bagged seven birdies.

The Middlesex PGA Professional revealed that renowned sports psychologist Bob Rotella has featured on his winter reading list.

He said: “I’m in better shape, physically, and have also been working on the mental side of the game, rather than just focusing on technique. I’m very pleased to have won – it’s a good start to the season.”

Taverner’s strength under pressure was evident just 24 hours later when he was one of three players to emerge successful from a six-man play-off at the Titleist & FootyJoy PGA Professional Championship qualifier at the Gog Magog club.

At the first extra hole, Taverner drilled a superb 3-wood from over 260 yards onto the green before two-putting to book his spot for the championship final at The Oxfordshire from July 26-29.