ADAM Hickling endured the highs and lows that the game can suddenly spring on you as Kevin Saunders secured a dramatic victory in The PGA in Hampshire Masters Championship.

Stoneham pro Hickling, winner of the Strokeplay Championship in June looked set for his second county major, sponsored by Be Wiser, when he posted a record-breaking 65 at Hartley Wintney.

That six-under par super show saw him go into the afternoon session five strokes clear of his rivals, Brokenhurst Manor’s Saunders, Jon Barnes, Jack Coulbert and Jason McNiven.

Hickling, however, dropped three shots in the first four holes to go out in 38 and offer the chasing pack a glimmer of hope.

And the back nine proved to be his undoing as he chalked up a couple of double bogeys for a 79 and finish in third place behind Saunders and Barnes.

Yet it all looked so promising in the morning for Hickling despite a bogey at the opening hole.

He then went on a blistering run to chalk up five birdies and an eagle at the eighth to set a new best at Hartley Wintney.

With Hickling struggling to get his game back on track, Saunders and Barnes (Lee-on-the Solent) took advantage.

They were neck and neck coming to the 160-yard 35th hole and that is where Saunders effectively won the championship with a birdie He finished on 141, one stroke ahead of Barnes with Hickling three shots further back.

Masters champion Kevin Saunders recalled his match-winning birdie at the 35th hole.

“I hit a six-iron to two feet”, he said. “I do like that hole as I hit the flag there with my tee shot a while ago, “It was an interesting day to say the least.I had a feeling I was catching Adam (Hickling) up but like a lot of others I was beginning to wilt in the heat.

“I also managed to get through three trolleys and the last one had only two plastic rims going up the last. So I was delighted to see it through and win the tournament as I have not been playing that much on the circuit recently.”

In other competitions at Hartley, Bradley Walsh headed the field of 29 competitors to win the August Mid-Week Stableford with a score of 39 points.

The Captain Pro Challenge saw the formidable pairing of Lee Poulter and Kevin Pigney score a nett 64 to win.

Seniors Challenge Cup was won by Stephen Lines with 39 points.

At the Lady Captain’s day the Individual stableford competition was won by Marie Walker with a fabulous score of 42 points.

In the team competition the winners, with the best two scores to count on each hole, were Sue Comfort, Walker and Sandie Pearce.

Deirdre Randall, Cheryl Scott and Chris Warman won their North Hants Plate semi final against Bramshaw and are now through to the final which will be played at Royal Winchester on September 19.

The Seniors August Stableford was won by Phil Reid with 42 points.

Chris Smith topped a successful weekend by winning the August Medal and Trimmer Trophy.

Smith carded a brilliant 74 gross net 67 to win Division One.

Walsh (71) won Division Two with Robert Anderson (79)winning Division Three.

The Legh Jones foursomes saw Ros Cranville and Maureen Handley win it with a net 74. Both players only joined Hartley Wintney at the beginning of the year.

The Pro Shop Stableford saw Smith take another victory with 37 points.