Three is the magic number for Ed

Ed Featherstone defied high winds and stiff competition to record a third straight success in the historic Norfolk Amateur Championship.

The talented teenager secured a two-shot ‘home win’ at an immaculately-presented Sheringham – the club where he learned to play golf.

With his father Neil on the bag, Featherstone finished four-over-par after he fired rounds of 65, 72 and 77.

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock student began the second day a stroke back from overnight leader Sully Goddard, whose opening-day efforts of 69 and 67 left him on four-under-par.

Conditions for the closing 18 holes were much more challenging as a cool north-westerly whistled in from the sea.

Goddard’s approach into the first green blew into trouble and playing partner Featherstone’s par proved sufficient to see him edge into a lead he would never relinquish.

That’s not to say Featherstone didn’t experience his own problems – a wayward drive at the seventh hole resulted in a reload and a subsequent triple bogey.

But Featherstone responded to that setback with a brilliant birdie at the very next hole, fizzing a 9-iron to 15 feet before rolling in a putt.

There were a couple of other wobbles but his short game often stood him in good stead, including at the penultimate hole where he scrambled successfully for his par.

That left Featherstone with a comfortable cushion to close out the deal next to the clubhouse and become the first player since Neil Williamson in 1989 to complete a hat-trick of victories in the 131-year-old tournament.

Featherstone said: “It was a very tough day, one of the hardest conditions I’ve played the course – especially in championship condition with the greens running really nicely.  It was definitely a test. I was very pleased with how I managed to scramble. I think that was the key.”

Featherstone’s home-soil win will serve as a booster ahead of a series of high-profile summer engagements.

He added: “It’s massive for my confidence. I wanted to see it and I think it would have been quite a big blow to me if I didn’t win it with how I feel like I’ve developed in my game.

“It means a lot to me – on the home course, it’s really special. It’s going to put a smile on my face for a while.

“And dad on the bag as well – we worked well as a team. He did what I needed and didn’t get in the way. I respect that very much, I’m thankful for him and all the things he does for me.”

Goddard took second spot on six-over-par, a stroke clear of James Tipling.

Tipling and Featherstone were joined by Theo Pudney in the Sheringham trio that landed the team trophy. They registered a combined tally of 423 for a comfortable triumph from runners-up Mundesley.

Norfolk Amateur Championship(Sheringham Golf Club) leading scores:

214: Ed Featherstone (Sheringham) 65 72 77.

216: Sully Goddard (Thetford) 69 67 80.

217: James Tipling (Sheringham) 71 67 79.

218: Harry Thomas (Eaton) 67 75 76.

219: Casey Patterson (Royal Cromer) 74 70 75.

220: Warwick Calasse (Sprowston Manor) 68 75 77 ; J Chamberlain (Thetford) 71 74 75.

222: Theo Pudney (Sheringham) 77 71 74.

223: Will Minchin (Royal Norwich) 731 71 79.

224: Jonathan Spinks (Ryston Park) 72 75 77.

Pictured below (from left to right):

James Tipling, Theo Pudney & Ed Featherstone (Sheringham GC) – winners of the Norfolk Amateur team trophy.