Andy finds key to the door with Powerade birthday treat

Andy Scrimshaw gave himself the perfect 21st birthday present to win the Powerade PGA Assistants' Championship north qualifier at Penwortham Golf Club

Scrimshaw represents Newcastle’s Close House Golf Club – where former two-time Powerade champion Jonathan Lupton is head professional – and came up with a winning performance the day before turning 21.

He carded a three-under-par round of 66 to pip Hesketh Golf Club’s Curtis Dean into second place at the Preston venue.

Now they - along with 17 other qualifiers from the event - will tee off in the Assistants’ £32,500 final, supported by FootJoy, which will be held on August 7-9 at Coventry Golf Club.

Scrimshaw admitted he hoped to follow in the footsteps of Lupton and fly the flag for Close House with a good result at Coventry.

“I talk to Jonathan a lot about this event and I’m starting to gain a bit more confidence now,” said Scrimshaw who missed the cut in last year’s final.

“I’m playing other tours and I want to make sure I prepare for the final better than I did last year when it was a bit of a rush job.

“Coventry’s a lot better for us northern lads so I hope that will help me as I’m really looking forward to the final.”

Scrimshaw admitted his birthday celebrations would have to be put on hold.

He smiled: “I am back working at the club the next day!”

Scrimshaw believes his recovery from a bad start at Penwortham shows how much he has improved and bodes well for the final.

“I was two over part after five holes, but I didn’t allow myself to get discouraged,” he added.

“I then got four birdies in five holes and one more at the 17th so I picked up well.”