Golf: Sanders stands firm to hold off Gorry

MARK SANDERS is the new English amateur champion after a comprehensive 6 and 5 victory over Simon Gorry in the 36-hole final at Woodhall Spa on Saturday.

After the first 18 holes Sanders, a 23-year-old Gloucestershire County player from the Bristol and Clifton club, was only one up, and that after going three down at the seventh. But following the first two holes of the afternoon, Sanders won the next two, including the fourth with an incredible 50-foot putt, to go three up. He finished in style with a birdie three at the 13th.

"It hasn't sunk in yet," said Sanders, who is coached by Gordon Brand Snr and regularly plays with European Tour member Gordon Brand Jnr.

Mark Pilkington took the Welsh title with a 2 and 1 victory over Kyrom Sullivan, despite his opponent winning four in a row to reduce the deficit to one in a late charge.

In Prestwick, Graham Rankin won his first national title at the J&B Scottish Amateur Championship. The 32-year-old was always too strong for Mark Donaldson and ended the day a comfortable 6 and 5 winner.