JOHN King, who spent two months in a wheelchair earlier this year after breaking both ankles in a buggy accident in Portugal, took a giant step on the road to recovery when he set the first round pace in the De Vere PGA North Region Championship at Heron’s Reach.
The Lindrick professional is unable to play 36 holes in a day and uses a shooting stick to help him round the course but he fired a seven-under-par 65 in the incessant Blackpool rain to lead by a stroke from European Tour player Phil Archer.
King, 50, who only made his tournament comeback in the Leeds Cup six weeks ago, said: “I still use a walking stick but I’m definitely on the mend. It’s been a long haul back but I feel as though I’m getting my game to where I want it to be.”
He has delayed trying to qualify for the European Senior Tour for another year because of his injuries and club commitments but his confidence rose several notches after his eight-birdie haul, his only mistake coming at the first hole which he three putted.
“That’s been one of my problems recently and I’ve tried several putters to sort it out. Hopefully, I’ve found the right one because I did not miss many chances during the rest of the round.”
His longest was a 40-footer at the short 16th which set him up for birdies on the last three holes.
Archer, 38, who is resigned to returning to Tour School after a disappointing season, was happy with his 66 on a course where he created a regional record of 19-under-par over three rounds when he won the title there in 1992.
He admitted: “I always feel relaxed in these events. Maybe I should adopt a similar attitude to playing on tour which I probably treat with too much respect.”
LEADING SCORES: 65 John King (Lindrick); 66 Phil Archer (Birchwood); 67 Paul Bradshaw (Boothferry), Craig Corrigan (Haigh Hall), Chris Hanson (Woodsome Hall); 68 James Wilkinson (Brampton), Graham Cox (Davenport), Gary Brown (Ganton), Graeme Bell (Eaglescliffe), John Wells (Cherry Burton), Martin Forster (Tynedale), Gary Dermott Heaton Park); 69 Adrian Ambler (Moor Allerton), Chris Mathews (Mytton Fold), Mark Ridley (South Moor), Tom Hesketh (Oakdale), Alex Evans (Bromborough), Ryan O’Neill (Penwortham), Simon Edwards (Windermere).
The Lindrick professional is unable to play 36 holes in a day and uses a shooting stick to help him round the course but he fired a seven-under-par 65 in the incessant Blackpool rain to lead by a stroke from European Tour player Phil Archer.
King, 50, who only made his tournament comeback in the Leeds Cup six weeks ago, said: “I still use a walking stick but I’m definitely on the mend. It’s been a long haul back but I feel as though I’m getting my game to where I want it to be.”
He has delayed trying to qualify for the European Senior Tour for another year because of his injuries and club commitments but his confidence rose several notches after his eight-birdie haul, his only mistake coming at the first hole which he three putted.
“That’s been one of my problems recently and I’ve tried several putters to sort it out. Hopefully, I’ve found the right one because I did not miss many chances during the rest of the round.”
His longest was a 40-footer at the short 16th which set him up for birdies on the last three holes.
Archer, 38, who is resigned to returning to Tour School after a disappointing season, was happy with his 66 on a course where he created a regional record of 19-under-par over three rounds when he won the title there in 1992.
He admitted: “I always feel relaxed in these events. Maybe I should adopt a similar attitude to playing on tour which I probably treat with too much respect.”
LEADING SCORES: 65 John King (Lindrick); 66 Phil Archer (Birchwood); 67 Paul Bradshaw (Boothferry), Craig Corrigan (Haigh Hall), Chris Hanson (Woodsome Hall); 68 James Wilkinson (Brampton), Graham Cox (Davenport), Gary Brown (Ganton), Graeme Bell (Eaglescliffe), John Wells (Cherry Burton), Martin Forster (Tynedale), Gary Dermott Heaton Park); 69 Adrian Ambler (Moor Allerton), Chris Mathews (Mytton Fold), Mark Ridley (South Moor), Tom Hesketh (Oakdale), Alex Evans (Bromborough), Ryan O’Neill (Penwortham), Simon Edwards (Windermere).
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