Goddard bags Middlesex Pro’s crown

Luke Goddard (Hendon) finished with back-to-back birdies as he cruised to a five-shot success in the Middlesex Professionals’ Championship at Wyke Green.

The second-year trainee professional has been in fine early-season form and this win followed his triumph in last month’s Searles PGA Spring Classic in north Norfolk.

Goddard, 31, fired rounds of 68 and 71 to complete a busy day’s work on a one-over-par total of 139.

He said: “It was a solid first round – my long game wasn’t great, to be fair, but the short game was good and I holed quite a few putts.

“The second round, I lost a ball left on the railway tracks on the third hole to go four-over through three.

“But I led by three going into the afternoon’s round and knew that I was still in the mix. So I just kept plodding away and then made two nice birdies to finish.

“I holed about a 15-footer on 17 and then a 10-foot putt on the last.

“It’s been a good solid start to the season – hopefully it continues.”

Tim Owers (Wyke Green) and Mark Bell (Dukes Meadow Golf and Tennis) tied for second on a total of 144.