Top pros aiming to master Sandburn

PGA in the north breaks new ground next week when more than 100 professionals peg up at Sandburn Hall in the Yorkshire Masters which has been upgraded to full regional status.

The course, set in the scenic Vale of York and opened eight years ago, has attracted nine of the top 10 contenders in the penultimate of five Order of Merit events.

Heading the table is Lancashire hot-shot David Shacklady, the Manchester Open winner from Mossock Hall who is pursuing his third Mike Slater Memorial merit trophy in six years.

He leads by 98 points from Snainton Golf Centre's John Wells but with 270 at stake at Sandburn and the same number in next month's James Brearley Lancashire Open at Blackpool North Shore, there's all to play for.

Lying a close third is 56-year-old Baildon professional Richard Masters who tied second in this week's Leeds Cup.

And Adrian Ambler, from Low Laithes, will be looking to move up a few notches from seventh as he defends his merit title.

The 36-hole tournament is on August 29-30 and is preceded by a pro-am.