SHERBORNE St John golfer Billy Watson fired eight birdies in a superb round of 69 to secure the Junior County Champions title at the Hotchkin Course in Woodhall Spa.

The Hampshire golfer ended a two- year domination by Lincolnshire golfers, as he finished with a score of 142 for his two rounds on the day.

This left him five shots clear of second placed Gian-Marco Petrozzi from Staffordshire.

Watson, the 18-year-old son of former European Tour professional Scott Watson, started his second round one shot behind leader Lincolnshire’s Sam Done, but never looked back after taking a birdie on his first hole.

His round really took off on the back nine, as he had birdies at the tenth, 11th, 13th, 14th, 16th and 18th to take the title.

Watson, a member of the North Hants Golf Club, where Justin Rose also made his name as a junior, said: “Although I won the Hampshire Boys Championship, this is my biggest victory as it is a national title.

“It is a big achievement for me and a great boost. It also gets me automatic entry into next year’s Brabazon Trophy and hopefully on to better things.”

Talking about his first round, Watson added: “I was fighting a left pull on my long irons, so before my second round I spent some time in the net with my dad and he put me right.

“I started well with a birdie at the first from six feet and I missed chances at the next two holes. But I birdied the sixth and bogeyed the seventh to be out in 36, but the back nine was great fun as I had six birdies.

“This win will take a while to sink in. It was good to have dad on the bag, not necessarily for tips but for his support.”