It’s Parry again as he storms to Leeds Cup victory

THE irrepressible Steve Parry continued to sweep all before him with another accomplished performance to win the De Vere Leeds Cup at Oulton Hall.

It was his second victory in a remarkable season for the 32-year-old professional who practised what he preaches to his pupils at his golf academy at Bolton club Hart Common.

Despite an uncharacteristic attack of nerves on the last two holes, which he bogeyed, Parry still had two shots to spare over Hillsborough assistant Mark Allen as he signed off with a 65 which, tagged to his opening 67, gave him a 10-under-par total.

Parry, who also won the Pokerstars Manx Classic at Mount Murray last month sandwiched between losing play-offs for the Phoenix Gas Classic at Wychwood Park and James Brearley Lancashire Open a week ago at Blackpool North Shore, needs only a handful of points to clinch the PGA North Region Order of Merit with two events remaining.

“That would be the icing on the cake,” he said after his eight birdie romp, spoiling an otherwise perfect set of figures with his late lapse.

“I looked up at the leader board at the 17th and saw I was four shots ahead then I suddenly went weak-kneed,” he admitted. “That’s not normally like me but it caused me to three put the last two holes.”

Parry, who has been on a roll all year since winning the Mansell Winter Series Order of Merit, attributed his consistency to regular work-outs in the gym, a new putter – and raised heels in his shoes!

“I’ve have insoles which give me more flexibility and maybe it’s all a coincidence but I’ve been playing well since they were fitted.”

He also had his swing checked out on Tuesday by Mark Pearson, a coach at Oulton Hall whom he’s been consulting for most of the season.

His winnings have already cleared his debts – and there’s plenty left over for his bid to win a European Tour card.

Allen, meanwhile, gave it his best shot as he produced his best finish of the campaign.

“When I birdied the 17th I thought I was in with a real chance until I saw how far Steve was in front of me. My target is to finish in the merit’s top 30 so I’m on course to achieve that,” said the 31-year-old who matched Parry’s 65.

Lancashire players fill five of the top 10 places Allen and John Wells, a past winner from Cherry Burton who finished tied fifth, providing the Yorkshire challenge.

Westerhope’s Michael Nesbit was leading North East player, a final round of 68 leaving him in a four-way share of 10th and seven off the pace.

Shot of the day was a hole in one at the sixth with a six ioron by Heysham’s Joe Senior.

LEADING SCORES: 132 Steve Parry (North West GA) 67 65; 134 Mark Allen (Hillsborough) 69 65; 137 Joe Senior (Heysham) 69 68, Grant Hamerton (Brookdale) 69 68; 138 David Shacklady (Mossock Hall) 71 67, John Wells (Cherry Burton) 68 70, Stuart Runcie (Abergele) 68 70, Paul Grannell (Vale Royal Abbey) 67 71, David Smith (Swinton Park) 64 74; 139 Michael Nesbit (Westerhope) 71 68, Richard Pace (One Stop Golf) 70 69, Aran Wainwright (Mid Yorks) 70 69, Chris Clarke (Waterfront) 69 70; 140 Gordon Brand (Marriott Hollins Hall) 70 70, Michael Ramsdale (Bondhay) 69 71, Adrian Ambler (Moor Allerton) 69 71, Allyn Laing (Mount Murray) 73 67, Nick Sargeant (Eastham Lodge) 68 72, Graham Cox (Davenport) 67 73.