Welshman Davies motors to victory at Lambourne

Cwmbran amateur Tom Davies sealed a place in the Lombard Trophy at Gleneagles after a double late show by Celtic Manor.

Davies (left) teamed up with PGA Professional Anthony Williams (right) for the regional final held at Lambourne Golf Club in Buckinghamshire.

The Welshmen topped the leaderboard by just one shot after carding an eight-under-par round of 64.

They will now play in the £43,600 grand final over the King’s Course at Gleneagles in Scotland between September 2-3 - just three weeks before the Ryder Cup is held at the same venue.

But it needed a 20-foot putt at the death from Davies at the 18th hole to leave them clear of Chris Hudson and Paul Little of Southwood Golf Club in Hampshire.

The winning duo had also been late entrants for the event, preferring the parkland course at Lambourne to the alternative links venue at Burnham on Sea two days later.

Davies topped off an encouraging couple of months for the 25-year-old who services cars at a South Wales dealership.

He has only just returned to the sport after a six-year break.

“I’m taking my golf more seriously now,” he said.

“I’ve been playing well and got my handicap down from 16 to 12 - now this happens.

“I’ve only been at Celtic Manor for a year. I was keen when I was a teenager but then I found I was only playing a few times a year.

“Suddenly I’m playing at Gleneagles! I’ll be on holiday just before the final so I’ll have to get some practice in while I’m away.”

The pair gave themselves the edge with a nett eagle at the 16th hole, but Williams admitted the crucial shot came from his amateur partner.

“He was awesome at the end with a long putt for par at the 18th,” said Williams.

“That kept us ahead and gave us the win.

“I’ve never entered this competition before in the 10 years I’ve been qualified as a professional.

“But there are two separate clubs registered at Celtic Manor so I decided to use my entry this year.

“It was all a bit late which is why we ended up at Lambourne.

“I feel a bit guilty coming over from Wales and winning on their territory - but I’ll take it!

“I looked at it and thought I would prefer to play a parkland course that was not too far to get to. And I’m delighted we came here and won it.”