GOLFERS from around the country battled testing conditions and played down to the wire at this year's Welsh Open Stroke Play in Prestatyn.

Scotland’s Andrew Davidson celebrated the biggest win of his career after coping with the weather and opponents at Prestatyn Golf Club

The 25-year-old from Fife beat fellow Scot Stephen Roger at the second play-off hole, after they both finished the regular event four shots clear of England’s William Dodds who had led going into the final round.

Former Stirling University student Davidson, who now works in the family fishing licences business, is hoping the win will push him towards Scottish international honours for the first time, though he has no plans to turn professional.

Ben Chamberlain, Padeswood and Buckley, and Jake Hapgood, Southerndown, were the leading Welsh performers in tied 8th on two over par, while Mitchell Reid, Celtic Manor, and Matthew Roberts, Royal Porthcawl, were one shot further back tied 11th.

After Friday’s play was mostly washed out, the players squeezed in three rounds over the weekend with a late finish after the Sunday Play-off seeing Davidson claim the prestigious title.

“This is my biggest win so far and I have not won anything for two to three years,” said Davidson.

“I didn’t really have any expectations coming into the week, just to keep doing what I was doing and this is a good step in the right

“The last three rounds were hectic, but not too bad as I had space between rounds. I was able to finish both the first two rounds on Saturday, finishing while there was just enough light.”

The final round saw the lead change hands as Dodds had a solid front nine, before slipping back, while Roger came through the field with a final round 67.

Wales Golf Championships Manager David Wilson said, “There were some testing conditions for the players and tournament staff, but everyone was able to come through it.

“The Prestatyn course survived the bad weather and bounced back into playable condition remarkably quickly thanks to the hard work of all the staff and volunteers.

“Congratulations to Andrew, there was some high quality golf for the conditions and his consistency with two 71’s and a final round 70 was enough to see him through when most players had at least one tough round.

“It was also good to see four Welsh players in the top 15 challenging.”