Shepherd leads the way

LEE Shepherd rounded up eight birdies on his way to a six-under-par 66 and victory in the PGA North Region Mansell Finishes Winter Series at Formby.

The assistant professional at John Letters Golf Academy in Leeds rolled in four on the trot from the third hole and added the rest on the inward half, a brace of bogeys early in the round blotting his card.

Cheshire-based Jon Cheetham, a former Leeds Cup and Manchester Open winner, trailed by a shot.

Meanwhile, Haigh Hall teaching professional Craig Corrigan posted 70 to narrow the gap on Order of Merit leader Barry Taylor, who had 71, going into the final fixture at St Annes Old Links on March 28.

DETAILS: 66 Lee Shepherd (John Letters GA); 67 Jon Cheetham (unatt); 69 Jon Kelly (Llandudno), Kieran Gaskell (Penwortham).