BOLTON'S Andy Picton and Steve Parry have won Europe's biggest pro-am competition, and a £12,000 first prize.

The pair lifted the Lombard Trophy PGA National Pro-am Championship title in dramatic style at the Pestana Vila Sol on Portugal’s Algarve, sealing a sensational success on the second extra hole.

Parry and his team-mate and sponsor, 16-handicapper Picton, effectively gate-crashed the sudden death play-off when the former hit a seven-iron approach to the 18th which travelled 170 or so yards before coming to rest six feet from the hole.

He sank the putt, albeit only after the ball rolled around the cup before dropping in for the pair to post a 10-under-par score of 134 for the two rounds.

Then Parry finished the job with another six-foot putt in the play-off for a birdie to clinch the title from under the noses of the pairings from Old Fold Manor and Normanton Golf Clubs.

Parry, the PGA professional at Hart Common Golf Club in Westhoughton, has been in the final three times in the last five years, his previous best finish being second in the 2014 final when he missed out on the title by one shot with amateur partner Terry Battersby.

Reflecting on his outstanding efforts on the 18th hole this year, he said: “We thought we were in the lead for most of the way round and then to get to 18 and learn we were one behind – we just had to go for it. I went for it and it came off.

“As for the putt – I just wanted to keep the drama going!”

The birdie at the par-four 18th was the pair’s fourth of the round, a total that was shared between them.

“We played well together in this tournament,” said Picton. “But we do know each pretty well – I’m his sponsor. I don’t have many lessons from him a year so it works out quite expensive!

“But this makes it all worthwhile, especially as I’m club captain this year as well.

“It’s been a great week on and off the course.”