JOEL PRESTON mastered the tricky greens at Pike Hills as he claimed the prestigious York Union of Golf Clubs' Open Championship.

The 19-year-old assistant professional at Malton & Norton GC shot rounds of 71 and 73 for a two-over-par total in beating a highly competitive field of amateurs and pros over two rounds at the Tadcaster Road venue.

Preston held off Fulford duo Damon Coulson and Mark Christie, along with the home club's Lee Bond, by a single shot, with Forest Park's Mark Winterburn - helped by an afternoon's best 69 - back in fifth at four-over-par.

Perennial contender, and this year's favourite playing on his own course, Martin Brown was firmly in the frame after a first-round level-par 71 in the morning. But, playing along with Coulson in the final group of the afternoon and following a first nine of 36, the eight-time York amateur champion bogeyed the 10th and suffered a quadruple bogey on the 12th to end his chances as he finished sixth.

Craig Smith, George Forder and David Hague were among a host of contenders with high hopes but whose challenge slipped away in a tough afternoon.

Preston said: "I am really pleased. The course was really tough. The greenkeepers made it really tricky and the scoring was higher than I expected. My par putting was good. Birdies were coming and going but the par putts were the main thing. It kept the score ticking along nicely.

"I was just trying to keep it going (during the first round). I felt quite confident and I was holing putts - just trying to get those extra ones to make a few more birdies."

Christie was first in following the afternoon session, adding a 72 to his opening 73 for a three-over-par total, and Preston was the first of the morning leaders to finish and had a nervous wait as the others began to come back to the clubhouse.

Alistair Smith (Pike Hills) was the first to return a below-par score, a one-under 70, as he finished tenth while Coulson quickly became Preston's biggest threat. The +2 handicapper was three-under-par at the turn and looking good.

He dropped a shot at ten but quickly recovered at the very next hole only for further bogeys at 14 and 16 to mean he needed to birdie the final hole to tie Preston. He could only par and his round of 70 was one shot shy of a play-off.

Asked how he kept it together during his afternoon round, Preston added: "I didn't find out what the scores were until the 9th. Somebody came over and told me I was tied with two others from the morning.

"I just thought if I posted a number near that, I wasn't going to be far away. It was easier conditions in the morning so the afternoon scoring was always going to be a little bit worse.

"I am really thrilled to have won. It's the first thing I have won since I turned professional so I am really happy with that. It's definitely number one (in my career) and I am sure I will be back to retain it next year."