CAPTAIN Michael Watson (Wessex Golf Centre) continued as the West Region’s most prolific winner when he claimed the Cumberwell Park PGA West Region Championship Pro-Am with a seven-under-par round of 64.

He defied the breezy conditions with six birdies and an eagle at the par five 12th, making two decisive birdies on the final two holes to win by three shots.

It was his seventh win of the season and made him favourite for the subsequent Players’ Championship over the next two days.

But he had to settle for a share of fourth place as Ali James, a former Wiltshire county captain and manager of the Cumberwell Park golf complex, became the first amateur for six years to win a West Region PGA order of merit tournament.

The 28-year-old produced a breathtaking opening round of nine-under-par 62 and held his nerve against the toughest of challenges on the second day.

One came from a rejuvenated Watson who made a brilliant comeback after merely shooting one under par 70 on the first day to lie eight shots off the lead.

Watson said: “I didn’t play well and was two over after nine. But it was different the next day as he was eight under after 14 holes and momentarily sharing the overall lead.

“But a bogey on 14 followed by a three-putt on 15 ruined his chance. Yet he signed for six-over 65.

“You can’t win all the time,” he smiled afterwards. “You are not going to play well in every round, but I’m having a great run.”