Lancashire stalwart Ciaran Doherty proved his class as he finished five shots clear of the rest to win yet another Northern Order of Merit title at his home club on Sunday.
FORMAT: 36-hole stroke play
A second-round 66 ensured he stayed well clear of the field, headed by Alexander Walker (Rochdale) and the two-time Northern Order of Merit champion made a blistering start in the afternoon to open up a sizeable gap at the top.
Doherty, who has made more than 50 appearances for his county, was six under after eight holes in the afternoon before finishing with a four-under score to claim the Harry Vardon Trophy.
HOW IT WAS WON: The story of Jack Brooks’ second successive Northern Order of Merit title success
Behind him Northern Order of Merit champion Jack Brooks (The Mere) retained his title thanks to a third-placed finish with nearest contender Andrew Haswell (Ormskirk) finishing sixth.
“This morning I didn’t play great but managed to get it around,” said Doherty on Sunday night. “It was pretty windy and it wasn’t easy but this afternoon I got off to a really good start.
“I am happy with the way I am playing and have been for the last two or three months now.”
The Bury player took a one-shot lead into the second round ahead of his club-mate Thomas Cooney and Worsley’s John Jones.
But he then made a brilliant start which included a stunning eagle at the short-par four seventh where he put his drive to six feet.
A couple of “daft little bogeys” checked his charge but he got it back to five under at the 13th before he finished with a three-putt bogey at the last.
Walker took second on countback thanks to a brilliant second-round 64. That left him level with Brooks, who managed a closing 67.