Liam Caffyn led home a memorable one-two for Norfolk junior golf when he edged out fellow county ace Sully Goddard in the Midland Area Golf Union Under 16 Boys Open Stroke Play Championship at Hawkstone Park.
Caffyn, 15, produced some brilliant golf across the 54-hole tournament at the Shropshire venue to secure the biggest victory of his rapidly-developing career.
The Dereham Golf Club member closed out on a three-over par total of 219 and won by a single stroke from Goddard, who piled up six birdies in his closing round.
Caffyn had initially taken control in the opening 18 holes, signing for a superb 68 in which he chipped in twice and also recorded an eagle.
Blustery winds during the second round left him two shots back going into the final day. But Caffyn duly signalled his intentions at the opening hole where he sank a 10-feet birdie putt.
From there, he and Goddard slugged it out for leaderboard supremacy with Essex golfer Alfie Dorrington also in the mix.
Caffyn and Goddard stepped it up with three holes to go when they both produced short-iron magic that led to simple birdies.
Then Caffyn preserved a one-shot advantage thanks to a fine five-iron towards a testing flag cut on the top tier of the 17th green.
As the nerves kicked in, the leader miscued with his drive down the last. But showing bags of guts, as well as skill, Caffyn whipped an amazing eight-iron over trees to leave himself in the heart of the green.
Still it wasn’t over as Goddard’s approach flew close to set up a decent birdie opportunity. But his putt slipped just wide of the cup, leaving the stage clear for Caffyn to convert for par from three feet and seal the win.
Caffyn said: “Going up towards the 18th, I felt physically sick. On 17 as well – it was the adrenalin. The goal coming into the tournament was to make the cut.
“Off the tee I was really good and my scrambling around the greens was great. I made back-to-back chip-ins in the first round.”
Caffyn and Goddard both shone and fellow Norfolk pair Louie Hawes and Jake Gunby also performed with credit to make the 36-hole cut.
Hawes improved with every round and signed off with a 73 to end up tied-21st.
But rising star Caffyn took top spot to underline his fast-track progress.
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