DESPITE a freezing wind, Rob Patrick's putter became red-hot as the 18-year-old blitzed the field to complete a successful defence of the Royal Winchester GC Junior Open title last Tuesday.

Patrick's gross scores of 69 (-2) and 71 belied the tricky conditions, his under par morning round being particularly impressive.

Teeing off on the tenth - a formidable par five at the best of times, the Stoneham member seemed oblivious to the strong wind in his face and the out of bounds either side of the fairway. He ripped his drive down the middle and although he dropped a shot at his second hole (the 11th), he was never seriously threatened once his putter warmed up.

For full story see today's golf pages in the Daily Echo.