STEADY nerves and a perfect putt on the 18th earned Will Barnes victory in the HSBC Invitational at South Staffordshire Golf Club.

 

The Whittington Heath golfer, who teaches at his own short game academy RBE Golf, found the hole from 10ft to finish one stroke clear of former Ryder Cup stars Peter Baker and David Gilford. Barnes finished runner-up to Paul Bagshaw in last year's inaugural event and the victory saw him lift his first major piece of silverware since turning pro six years ago.

 

"I've had quite a few seconds so hopefully the floodgates will open now," he said. "Until you finally win, you don't believe in yourself - it's good to know I can do it. "I was two-over after six today and on the fringes of thinking 'here we go again' before I managed to hole a few par putts. "I then made birdies on the 10th, 13th and 18th and managed to grind it out. The 18th was probably the best hole I played all day - a perfect drive, a good second and a good putt.

"It was nice to finally get the monkey off my back."

 

Gilford and Baker were preparing for a play-off when Barnes rolled in his match-winning putt on the 18th.

 

A dropped shot on the 17th cost Gilford a share of the lead but he was content with his performance over the three days. "I played quite well all week and, as it was the first competition I've played this year, I was happy," Gilford said. "It was disappointing to drop a shot on the 17th but I don't think I was the only one to do that. "It has been a nice week and a good tournament at a great venue. Things could not have been better."

 

Baker was another to drop a shot on 17 but was delighted by the success of the tournament at the Wolverhampton club where he is director of golf. "The whole thing went well and it was good to see so many people out here watching," he said.

"It was a very good finish at the end of three fantastic days of golf. Hopefully the event will grow each year and we are indebted to HSBC for sponsoring it."

 

HSBC Invitational Final Leaderboard: 205 (-8) Will Barnes (RBE Golf); 206 (-7) Peter Baker (South Staffs) and David Gilford (unattached); 207 (-6) Matt Morris (Hatchbrook Heath), Steve Carter (South Staffs) and Matthew Cort (unattached).