Three-way tie at frosty Cotswold Hills

Promising Bath assistant James Hannam won his first Gloucester and Somerset PGA medal at Cotswold Hills, sharing top spot with Nick Ellis and Cirencester’s Ed Goodwin (above).

Although Hannam was two-over-par early in his round he repaired the damage with gains at the fifth and seventh. A bogey at the long 13th was sandwiched by further birdies at the 12th and 14th before he parred his way in to claim his share of the first-place prize money.

Goodwin is formidable at most courses he visits but probably even more so at Cotswold Hills although the players faced a frosty start at the Ullenwood venue. He spent his amateur days and early days as a professional at the club and it was no surprise when he set the clubhouse target.

A double bogey at the par three fourth set him back before birdies followed at the fifth and seventh. Then he completed a clean sweep of the par fives as he picked up shots at the 13th and 16th, dropping a shot at the 14th.

This was the Total Triumph Order of Merit holder’s first medal success of the new season moving him into second spot behind Giuseppe Licata (Bristol Golf Centre).

Ellis, of Naughton Downs, collected birdies at the fifth and seventh but shed shots at the third and 15th before he joined the leaders with a crucial birdie three at the closing hole.

David Haines (Brean), Roy Holland (Long Ashton), Mike LaBand (Weston-super-Mare) and Scott Thompson (Bleadon Hill) shared fourth on 72. G&S PGA captain Daryl Kelley (Filton) and Paul Barrington (Players) were another shot further back on 73.