Curry enjoys the local honours

10:46am Tuesday 1st July 2008

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Braintree's Paul Curry was at the top of the list of local golfers at the PGA EuroPro Tour Stoke By Nayland Championship.

Curry, who finished on one under par, following rounds of 75, 68 and 72, was seven shots off the leader Nicky Harris, who won the championship after a fantastic final-round battle with Jamie Harris on the Gainsborough course.

Colchester's Jamie Moul, who was playing at his home course, had rounds of 73, 73 and 75 to share joint-22 place on five-over par, while Chelmsford's Lloyd Kennedy was two strokes further back.

However, there was no final round appearance for Frinton's Ben Montgomery as he had failed to make the cut, following opening rounds of 75 and 77, as did Tiptree amateur Dale Whitnell, after he had fired rounds of 80 and 84 on the first two days to sit at 20-over par.

The drama on the last day was provided by the Nicky Harris and Jamie Harris, though.

The pair were tied at seven under going down the 17th when Nicky chipped in from ten feet off the back of the green for a birdie to edge in front.

Both men recorded pars at the final hole for Nicky, of Whitefield Golf Club, to post a final round 67 to scoop the title and £10,000 prize money.

"I can't believe it," said Nicky, who posted scores of 72, 69 and 67 in his 208.

"It was nip and tuck all the way around, but we had so much fun playing - I can honestly say I've never enjoyed playing with someone as much as I did with Jamie.

"The 17th was the key of course.

"Jamie knocked it to within 12 feet and I just think adrenaline made me put it off the back, but luckily I was able to hole the chip and Jamie missed his putt.

"On 18 I had another chip and I didn't want to fluff it, so when I put it pretty close I just let out a real sigh of relief - it just shows that my practice has paid off."

Jamie Harris said: "Seve Benson chipped in on the final round at Wensum Valley when I finished second there - I think it's a conspiracy.

"But Nicky played really well and we had great fun going round, and both put up great scores."

Nicky and Jamie were three under going into the final round and traded birdies down the front nine to heap pressure on leader Graham Gordon, who effectively ended his title hopes after opening with three bogeys on the first three holes.

Jamie recorded four birdies with a bogey on the seventh on the opening stretch, while Nicky picked up three shots, but the real drama came down the back nine.

They both birdied 12 but Jamie bogeyed 14 before recovering with a birdie on 15 to stay neck and neck with Nicky, until the Manchester man holed the vital chip on 17.

Matthew Ford finished third at four under, going into the back nine five under but dropped three shots on ten and 11.

Curry joined Gordon and Damian Mooney at one-under par for the tournament.