WILLIAMS' GRANDSTAND FINISH WINS ENGLISH MID-AMATEUR TITLE

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A spectacular eagle-birdie finish saw Neill Williams crowned English Mid Amateur champion at a sun-drenched Ipswich Golf Club at Purdis Heath.
The 38 year old surveyor from Walton Heath posted a closing 68 for 206, seven under par, and a three-stroke winning margin over Steve Graham, who stormed through the field with a course record 64.
“It’s overwhelming,” said Williams. “I’m staggered by it all. I didn’t know I had that finish in me but winning a national title will be something to remember for a long time.”
He started the day a shot behind overnight leader Danny Curtis, his playing partner in the final game, and fell further behind with a bogey-five at the first. “It was just nerves but I got it back with a birdie at the second,” he added.
Out in 35, Williams suddenly found himself ahead as Curtis was going backwards with two double-bogeys and a bogey in an outward 39. But with Graham having set the bench mark at four under with his 64, Williams knew what he had to do. “I found out on the 16th tee that a 64 had been recorded which meant I had to birdie one of the last three holes,” added Williams.
“I found sand at the 16th and made par but I knew I had a chance at the long 17th. I hit three-wood, something I’d done all week, then six-iron to 18 feet and made it for eagle.”
His birdie at the last put the icing on the cake in only his second appearance in the championship and came after a somewhat nervous start.
 “I was hitting it dreadfully on the range this morning and it wasn’t helped by the three putts on the first,” added Williams, “but I’m really chuffed. I felt I could compete and I had a chance if I could produce my best game.”
Graham’s record 64 was somewhat overshadowed by Williams’ finish but the Littlehampton secretary deserved second spot.
“I didn’t play any worse than in my first round 76 but it all came together,” he said. “I said to my wife this morning that I had to shoot 65 to stand a chance and that’s the best round I’ve played for a long time but starting eight shots back, I wasn’t under any pressure. I’ve been watching a Peter Cowan video for the past three weeks and remembered to ‘swing in balance’ and managed to hold on to it. I’m chuffed to bits.”
Richard Latham, the first-round leader, finished with 72 for third place on 213, level par, while former winner Nigel Chesters was fourth a shot further back after a 71.
Curtis, a legend in Kent golf, stumbled to 78 for fifth spot on 215 adding: “I didn’t play well but Neill deserved to win. He played superbly.”
Perhaps the unluckiest player on the final day was David Brown from Sherwood Forest, who was forced to withdraw after damaging his back removing his clubs from the boot of his car. He was lying equal 13th on three under par.