OVERNIGHT SUCCESS FOR PARKER

Only at the third time of asking did Romford's Darren Parker finally lift the Maxfli PGA Assistants' Championship over the testing Bearwood Lakes course at Wokingham, near Reading on Friday 8 October.

Parker, who represents Maylands Golf and Country Club, had holed an eight-footer to save his pat on the 72nd green on Thursday to finish on 274 (14 under), a shot ahead of Newent's Ian Harrison, who'd led the tournament throughout. Harrison, playing in the final pair immediately behind Parker, knew he needed a birdie 3 to tie - and did exactly that with a wedge to five feet.

In the fading light they completed two halved holes of the sudden-death play-off, called it a day and on resuming early the next morning Parker grabbed the title with a birdie 3 at the first hole.

Not only did that secure him the winner's cheque for £4,500 but also an invitation to play in the PGA of America's Assistants Championship next month in Florida, financed by the champagne producers, Moet & Chandon.

Leading final aggregates: