BIRDIES flew in thick and fast at Royal Liverpool in the PGA North Region Mansell Finishes Winter Pro-am.

And Leigh professional Andrew Baguley grabbed eight of them plus an eagle as he covered his outward half in a stunning nine-under-par.

"That was a career best for nine holes," said the 45-year-old former PGA Cup player. "I surprised myself because I'd not practised for ages and competed in few events all season.

"I suppose it was just one of those days and you could say I played from memory. The eagle came at the par five eighth, my opening hole, where I hit a driver and four wood to eight foot and then rolled in seven birdies on the way to the turn."

Baguley, who attributed his trio of bogeys to three-putting, posted a seven-under-par 65, added: "We played the yellow course which is shorter than the normal one but you still have to hit the shots and get the ball into the hole."

His score was matched by Haigh Hall's Craig Corrigan, fresh from his victory in a pro-am in the United States last week, who conjured up eight birdies, blotting his card with a lone bogey at the 12th.

Wilpshire's Simon Townend, a shot off the pace with Adrian Ambler from Walton Golf Centre, picked up an extra bonus for winning the team event with Pleasington partner Julian Peck on 15-under. Romiley's Matthew Ellis filed a no return but stayed in pole position in the Order of Merit and lies 10 points ahead of Darland's Mark Sheppard.

CATH Rawthore had reason to be chirpy after winning the Canaries Island Open.

The Sale three handicapper piled up 62 points over two rounds in Tenerife as she beat Kent player Anne Mount by one.

Carden four handicapper Lee Chidlow was second on 60 points in the men's competition, three adrift of Berkshire's Peter Barford.

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