Andy Sullivan (picture © Tom Ward) maintained his highly successful start to the season when he won the Lagonda Trophy after a head-to-head battle with Liam Burns at Gog Magog Golf Club, Cambridge.

The man from Nuneaton carded a closing round of 69 for 269, 11 under par, to pip Burns by a shot despite the Kent man’s finale of 68.

Joint third on 274 were Phillip Ridden from City of Newcastle and England international Jamie Abbott, who lost a playoff for the same title a year ago, both with closing 66s.

It was Warwickshire champion Sullivan’s third round 64, one off the amateur course record, that set up his success which followed victories in the Hampshire Salver and Midland Closed, runners-up spots in the West of England and Selborne Salver and fourth place in the Duncan Putter.

“Yes, the 64 put me in prime position but this win boosts my confidence and hopefully I might get picked for something soon,” said the 23 year old who is a special invitee to the England squad.

Sullivan and Burns, playing together in the final game, were locked in a virtual match play situation throughout the final round as no one else was able to make a charge at their dominance with Sullivan going into the closing circuit two shots clear.  But by the turn the pair were locked together on ten under and with five to play Burns enjoyed a two-shot lead and was looking on course for the title.

But Sullivan birdies at the long 14th, 16th and short 17th turned the tables while solid pars were the best Burns could manage.

“I felt I needed three birdies, that was my target over the closing six holes,” confirmed Sullivan. “If it wasn’t enough then so be it, but it proved to be in the end.”

Burns was naturally disappointed but he said: “Andy played better than me. I didn’t play badly but he hit me with those birdies. That’s golf. However, to shoot four rounds in the sixties can’t be bad.”

Leading final scores:
269 A Sullivan (Nuneaton) 71 65 64 69
270 L Burns (Sundridge Park) 68 67 67 68
274 P Ridden (City of Newcastle) 72 68 68 66
274 J Abbott (Fynn Valley) 72 65 71 66
276 N Newbold (Kedleston Park) 70 67 67 72
277 N Raymond (Corhampton) 70 68 69 70
278 J Heasman (West Essex) 73 69 66 70