BOLTON'S Andy Picton and Steve Parry have reached the final of the Lombard Trophy PGA National Pro-am Championship.

Amateur Picton and Parry teamed up for the qualifying event at Fairhaven Golf Club in Lytham St Annes.

Parry, the PGA professional at Hart Common Golf Club in Westhoughton, is also sponsored by 16-handicapper Picton and the pair proved an ideal fit as they carded a stunning 11 under par round of 62 which gave them victory by three shots and a place in the final in Portugal.

Picton, aged 48, who is Hart Common captain this year, said: “I sponsor Steve under the name of Manchester Vein Clinic which is a brand of ours, we do varicose vein treatments and Steve carries that brand in the professional events.”

“It’s a busy year but I’m sure we can squeeze in a Portugal trip after this.”

The duo made a quickfire start at Fairhaven and reached the turn in 30, which included a nett eagle at the third hole, before securing five birdies on the back nine for a win that was rarely in doubt.

“My putting’s usually quite good but the rest of my game’s rubbish! And I also managed to up and down a couple of bunker shots,” added Picton.

“I was surprised to qualify for the event in the first place as I play off 16, so it was nip and tuck. But we dovetailed very well.”

They will now head for the £41,000 National Pro-Am grand final which will be played at the Vila Sol resort in the Algarve on September 21 and 22.

It will be Parry’s third appearance in the final after two appearances at Gleneagles in Scotland.

He was second in the 2014 final when he missed out on the title by one shot with amateur partner Terry Battersby, and also competed in the 2013 showpiece.

“I’ll have been in it three times in five years now,” said Parry, "I didn’t drop a shot at Fairhaven and Andy came in with a good few birdies.

"We had a good front nine, but we know each other quite well as he’s been my sponsor for the last three years."