Davis at the double

Chris Davis (Trent Park) completed the Middlesex ‘double’ by landing the county’s Open to follow his success in the Professionals’ Championship earlier in 2017.

Davis took the Open crown at Grim’s Dyke, edging out Hendon amateur James Ellis at the first play-off hole.

The pair finished 36 holes of regulation play at two-over par. Davis had shared the 18-hole lead alongside Michael Moore (Pinner Hill) and James Taverner (Hendon).

But Ellis fired an afternoon round of 67 – two-under-par – to surge into contention. Davis’ second successive 70 meant that extra time was required to settle the title.

Ellis was always behind the eight-ball after missing the green, right, with his tee-shot into the par-three. In response, Davis grabbed the initiative by fizzing his iron into the heart of the putting surface.

Ellis chipped to 15 feet but was just unable to convert his par putt, while Davis safely negotiated a three to secure victory.

Moore shared third place with Mark Bell (Dukes Meadows) after both players finished on a tally of 142.