Thompson hits form a day too late at Saunton

Lee Thompson found his customary form just a day too late to salvage his season.

The Dudsbury player, who won the Order of Merit last year and entered this season’s final tournament sharing the lead with Liam Bond, the eventual winner, experienced 36 agonising holes without a birdie in the West Region Championship.

This unprecedented setback deprived him a return to the PGA Play-Offs in October as he slid back to fourth spot. But what a difference a day makes.

Just 24 hours later in the Saunton Pro-Am he made five birdies in a three-under-par 68 to claim second place one shot behind Richard O'Hanlon (St Kew), another player who narrowly missed reaching the Play Offs.

O’Hanlon’s polished display contained six birdies, matched by Toby Hunt (St Mellons).

Home assistant Nicky Maddison, Giuseppe Licata (Chipping Sodbury), Ed Goodwin (Cirencester), Mark Searle (High Post), who shared third with Danny White (Players Club), made five.  

Local knowledge helped another home assistant John Morgan achieve par to share fifth with Hunt and Paul Hendriksen (Ivybridge).

Licata’s trio finished top in the team award on 91, followed by O'Hanlon on 88 and PGA Cup captain Albert MacKenzie’s Saunton Golf Club team on 87.