Richard O'Hanlon wins at Exeter

Richard O'Hanlon finally made his breakthrough in the West Region by winning for the first time at Exeter after a succession of near misses in his first season playing in the area. The winner of the Midlands Order of Merit in 2006 became club pro at Lanhydrock in Cornwall almost a year ago and has been seeking his first win in the region ever since. When it did, it came in style at the 47-team Exeter Golf and Country Club pro-am where he achieved a convincing two-shot success with a six-under-par 63 against a quality field. The 37-year-old former Brockton, St Thomas's Priory and Uttoxeter pro made a flying start and was five under after eight holes with birdies at 1, 3, 4, 7 and 8. He made his only error at the short ninth when he took five to be out in 31. The back nine was more sedate and he sandwiched seven successive pars between birdies at the tenth and 18th to become a comfortable winner.