Steve Uzzell wins Russian amateur
championship by 10 strokes

PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY ENGLISH GOLF UNION
Steve Uzzell became the third successive Englishman to win the Russian amateur championship when he finished 10 strokes ahead of compatriot Jamie Abbott at the Pestovo Golf and Yacht Club near Moscow.c
Uzzell follows Seve Benson in 2006 and Chris Wood last year as Russian amateur champion and earns a start in this week’s Russian Open on the European Tour.
Uzzell, the Brabazon Trophy winner and England international, led from start to finish with rounds of 67, 69, 71 and 73 for an eight-under-par aggregate of 280. He led by two at halfway and despite a third round 71, extended his advantage to seven strokes going into the final day.
His closing 73, under little pressure, allowed Uzzell to open the gap even further on the field although his victory celebrations were delayed by a hold-up for rain when he was on the 17th tee.
It was Abbott, the 21 year old from Suffolk and fellow EGU Elite Squad member, who climbed from fourth to second with a 75 for 290.
Neil Chaudhuri, the third England Elite Squad member in the field, finished fifth on 295 after a closing 72.
Uzzell’s latest triumph underlines the value of regional coaching. The 24 year old Yorkshireman was a late developer but under the guiding hand of coach Graham Walker he has blossomed into a talented golfer on the international scene.
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 288 (4 x 72)
280 S Uzzell (Hornsea) 67 69 71 73.
290 J Abbott (Fynn Valley) 70 71 74 75.
290 P Svajlen (Russia) 72 72 71 75.
293 M Morozov (Russia) 68 73 76 76.
295 N Chaudhuri (The Leicestershire) 72 75 76 72.