Will Marshall won the battle of the teenagers to lift the Durham County Matchplay Championship at Durham City.
Will, who has just turned 19, took on Tyneside’s James Wilson, winner of the championship two years ago and who was hoping for a second win at Durham to mark his 19th birthday.
Will was fast out of the blocks and was 4up after four holes, but Wilson hauled him back and the match headed to the 18th tee with Will 1up. They would both par the last to give the Heworth lad the title.
“I was 4up after four with a birdie and an eagle as James struggled a bit on the opening holes. He came back at me with an eagle and few birdies of his own though,” said Will. “James pulled it back and in the end it was a really tight match. I’ve been playing well this year but not really scoring well so I’m happy it all came together this week. I’m just enjoying my golf at the moment, but I am thinking about turning professional in a year or two. I need to play as much as I can and just see how things go, I’ve got plenty of time.”
James got the better of Castle Eden’s Ryan Dixon in the semi-finals while Will, who is the second Heworth player to win the title, defeated past winner Graeme Marchbank to end City’s hopes of a home winner.
