Golf

Faith is rewarded for Chapman's backers

Professional Danny Chapman found the best possible way to thank his local supporters - with a five-shot win in the professional event at the latest Norfolk Alliance meeting.

Chapman sailed round Royal Norwich in five-under par 67 and quickly paid tribute to his supporters. He's backed by a group of members at his club, Weston Park, who have each chipped in between £100 and £500, and by two local companies, Caterfreeze and Hatch Brenner.

"They have supported me all this season and I'm very grateful and want to thank them - they know how much it means to me," said the 23-year-old, who is in his third professional season.

Chapman's win underlines his conviction that he's achieving more consistency with his scores. He's been encouraged this year by his general results and his performance at European Tour qualifying - although he didn't progress beyond the first stage he was pleased with the way he handled the event and proud of the fact that he was one of only 20 players to beat par on the third day, when the pressure was on.

"This year I have felt I can hold my own a lot more and the way I played at Q-school has given me the self-belief that I can do it when I need to," said Chapman, who was one of Norfolk's leading amateurs before turning pro.

He certainly turned it on at Royal Norwich, despite starting with a bogey on the second, which was his first hole. He repaired the damage with a two-putt birdie on the par-five seventh, got under par with another birdie on the short ninth and improved further with a four on the long 10th, which he also reached in two.

Chapman drove the green on the downhill par four 13th, where his ball finished within a foot of the hole for an easy eagle. Fellow competitors told him that it ran over the cup.

He had a good up-and-down for par on 15, which was one of only three missed greens in his round, and then birdied the par-five 17th, which he also reached in two.

"It was just one of those rounds where everything clicked into place," said Chapman. "It's a shame we are at the end of the season but I'll be playing all the winter events and I'm planning to work hard in the gym and get in lots of practice, so I can come out in April with all guns blazing."

The Alliance meeting attracted 104 players.