CUMBERWELL Park amateur James Cooper admits local knowledge worked in his favour as he produced a stand-out performance at last week’s GRENKE Championship.

The 16-year-old from Hilperton was the youngest man to make the cut at the EuroPro tour event held at the Bradford on Avon club, finishing on seven-under for a tie for 19th place.

That included a chip-in birdie at the 18th on the last day of the tournament as he played his final nine holes in six-under for a three-under round of 68.

“I finished well. It was a bit of a rough front nine but I played the back nine six-under,” said Cooper.

“It was a good few days. I just came here to try and enjoy it and try to make the cut. I did that and then I was really pleased with how I did on Friday. I fought it hard but I really enjoyed it.

“It’s my home track, so I had a few ideas of where to miss it and where not to.

“Going into the last three or four holes on Thursday knowing what the cut was, I felt a little nervous but on Friday I went out to try and enjoy it, not really think about where I was, and just tried to score the best I could.”

Fellow home player Steve Surry finished in a tie for sixth on 10-under. He had looked like being a leading contender for victory as after teeing off nine-under, three birdies in Surry’s first six holes saw him take a share of the lead.

However, a bogey on seven saw him surrender a shot for a two-under outward nine.

Surry was unable to get himself going again on the home stretch and another bogey on 15 saw him slide out of contention and although he was able to pick up a shot at 17, that was swiftly relinquished at the last as he went round in a one-under 70.

“It was a good start but I messed it up a bit on nine, 10, 11 and 12. Those are the easy holes and I went through those level par. I thought I would be struggling after that, you want to be two or three under on that stretch,” said Surry.

“It was an okay week, it wasn’t quite what I wanted. I expected to be in contention so after a good start on Friday, it is a bit disappointing.

“There were loads of people out there supporting, loads of volunteers, which we don’t get at all the tournaments, so it was a really good week for the club but for me, it was just average golf around my home course.”