Andrews holds on for first victory

Kris Andrews, the overnight leader, won his first PGA North tournament when he captured the James Brearley Lancashire Open at Blackpool North Shore.

But the 31-year-old Ashton-on-Mersey professional revealed that he had felt ‘in awe’ of his playing companion David Shacklady and spent the previous night wondering how he could outscore him.

"I was a bit nervous because he's picked up so many titles and I'd never been in this position before," he explained after beating the Mossock Hall maestro by a shot in a dramatic finish.

"Steve Parry, who was in our three-ball, has also been successful at this level but I needn't have worried because both players helped me to relax and I felt comfortable all the way round. That's the type of guys they are.

"I'm a club pro from Droylsden who likes to play and have a good day out. I did not expect to win a tournament like this but these last two days will stay with me forever. It's the pinnacle of my career."

Andrews, whose first round 64 included an eagle on the last green where he holed his nine iron approach from 148 yards, also finished well if not quite so spectacularly with a closing 73 for a five-under-par aggregate.

Shacklady blew the chance of forcing a play-off, and his hope of creating history as the first man to win three PGA North majors in a season when he three putted the final hole as Andrews got down in two.

Parry was also in contention over the inward stretch before settling for a share of second place with Shacklady, who clinched the Mike Slater Memorial Order of Merit title for a fourth time, and Darland's Mark Sheppard.

"It was almost match play towards the end," said Andrews, who dedicated his win to his six-year-old son Luke.

"I was three behind at one stage then two ahead after the 15th but then Shacklady birdied the next as I dropped a shot."

Lancashire County and former England player Paul Kinnear, from Formby, went round in 68 and 76 to claim the leading amateur prize.