Lloyd stars

CHRIS Lloyd carded a stunning course record-equalling 63 to win the Sir Henry Cooper Junior Masters on a sultry day, at Nizels Golf Club, Hildenborough.

It gave the England boy cap a 72-hole aggregate of 265, 23 under par, and a four-stroke winning margin from under-16 cap Adam Carson, with another international, Max Smith, third on 270.

Lloyd began the final day on nine under, four strokes behind Italian Filippo Zucchetti, who had recorded his own 63 in round two to lead by two overnight from Carson.

But as the Italian went backwards with a third-round 78, Carson (66) hit the front on 15 under, with Lloyd (65) and newly-crowned Surrey champion Josh White (64) a shot behind.

The scene was set for a thrilling finale, and Lloyd, just back from helping England to win bronze medals in the World Boys' Team Championships, in Japan, soon underlined his determination to end a barren spell by going out in 31, including an eagle-two at the 348-yard seventh when he holed a 97-yard sand wedge.

He was just as impressive on the back nine, four successive birdies from the short 11th giving the Gloucestershire champion a comfortable lead.

Although he three-putted the short 16th, Lloyd bounced back with a final birdie at the 17th and cruised home for his first major victory this year.

"This win means a lot because I haven't enjoyed much success over the past month," he said.

"I knew that if I could shoot 65 or better, I'd be in with a chance." Defending champion Jonathan Bell finished fourth on 272 after a closing 68, which meant the top four were all England internationals at various levels.