Watson shatters Sherbone record

Michael Watson set a new course record with an outstanding fault-free eight-under par 64 to win the Sherborne Pro-Am by five shots.

“Everything went right,” said the Wessex Golf Centre professional who has won at the Dorset country course in the past and is a frequent visitor.

“I only had to make one decent save and played without stress,” he said after carding two nines of four-under 32, finishing with three successive birdies. “I hit it close and when my putter works I can score well. Although it was a perfect day it can be tough at Sherborne when it is firm.

“It is a course where you need to hit the ball in the right places to give yourself chances. That was probably why some of the scoring was a little higher  than usual.”

Although he usually starts each season slowly he has been playing more regularly over the past few weeks and is looking forward to making another challenge in the Order of Merit with a Play-off place and possibly another appearance in the PGA Cup team in prospect.

Louis Boston (Chippenham) was the only other player not to drop a shot in a three-under 69 and shared runner-up spot with Dan Carter (Upavon) whose round contained  five birdies and three bogeys.

Guseppe Licata (Chipping Sodbury) and Mark Searle (High Post) followed on 70 with Lee Corfield (Burnham and Berrow) and Robert Jackson (Morriston) the only other players to break par with 71.