Griffiths takes Welsh title

Matthew Griffiths won the Welsh Amateur Golf Championship at Tenby with a convincing seven and six victory in the 36-hole final over Richard Brookman.

The 21-year-old Gwent County player from Woodlake Park, Pontypool, was two under par in winning the match. His triumph also brought him the Konica Welsh Order of Merit crown for the season.

Early on Brookman was three up and looked impressive, but he lost three holes in a row from the 10th and Griffiths took the lead for the first time on the last green of the opening round, when Creigiau-based Brookman went out of bounds over the back of the green.

In the afternoon Griffiths was in total command playing solid golf. It was a different story for his opponent whose swing deteriorated and who hit far too many loose shots.

A solid par four at the 21st hole puts Griffiths two up and he then knocked a six iron to five feet at the 22nd to increase his advantage before Brookman bunkered his tee shot at the 24th and immediately went four behind.

Brookman kept alive his slim chances by holing from just off the green at the 25th, but his revival was short- lived as Griffiths then piled on the pressure and won four of the next five holes for a comfortable success.

He will now lead Wales in confident mood in the four-cornered home international series at Newcastle, County Down, next month.