War on the shore

The War of the Roses will be re-enacted during next week's (Sept 9-10) James Brearley Lancashire Open at Blackpool North Shore when PGA North professionals from both sides of the Pennines battle for honours in the final major of the campaign.

Ormskirk-based David Shacklady (above) enters the fray with all guns blazing as he bids to secure the 11 points he requires to clinch the Michael Slater Order of Merit trophy for the third time in seven years.

He's been the man in form all season with recent victories in the Manchester Open and the Yorkshire PGA Masters elevating him to the top of the rankings.

And the Mossock Hall pro also has history on his side because he completed a hat-trick of Lancashire Open titles in 2005.

The only way he could fail to get over the line in the merit race would be if he misses the cut in the 36-hole tournament and if that happens, Yorkshire pair Michael Ramsden and John Wells could pip him to the post.

Nobody else is in contention but one of them would have to win the event outright to deny Shacklady. But both players have impressive record in the event. Wells, from Snainton Golf Centre in North Yorkshire, won in 2011 when Ramsden finished runner-up. 

And fellow Tyke Adrian Ambler, from Wakefield club Low Laithes is defending the title which clinched his first Order of Merit success.

More than 100 professionals will be joined by eight amateurs who include Lancashire County and former England international Paul Kinnear, from Formby.

The tournament will be followed by a pro-am.