Watson warms up for Dudsbury Masters

Michael Watson showed his liking for the maturing Dudsbury course by winning the pro-am before this week’s Masters tournament with an impressive six-under-par 65.

The Wessex Golf Centre professional (above) started with three birdies in the first four holes and, after his only blemish at the seventh, returned in four-under 32 with birdies at the 10th and 16th and an eagle at the 17^th.

It was the perfect warm-up for the former PGA Play-Offs winner ahead of the 36-hole Dudbury Masters sponsored by Marston’s.

But he was chased all the way by Henry Pallas, assistant at Upavon, whose 66 contained five birdies, an eagle at the 10th and a double bogey at the 13^th.

Home professional Lee Thompson also shared second spot after a blemish-free round with halves of 31 and 35. An eagle at the sixth and birdies at the first, seventh and 17^th were the features.

Matt Dearden (Cardiff), another former Dudsbury winner, started with a bogey before adding five birdies to take fourth on 67.

Stuart Little (Minchinhampton), Mark Wiggett (Dudsbury), Ollie Baker (Ridgeway) and Devon-based Scott Drummond also started the week in fine form by sharing fifth on 68.

Little also won the first team prize on 92 leading the Brendan Delaney team one shot better than Trade Cost Windows led by David  Morris (Bells Hotel Forest of Dean) with a Dudsbury team led by Joe Ferguson (Celtic Manor) third on 90.