PGA NEWS: GEORGE Ryall, the 43-year-old professional at Clevedon Driving Range, made a valiant attempt to win the West Region PGA Championship at The Players Club.

He led after two rounds and only relinquished his lead with six holes of the last round to go.

Barry Austin, the reigning West Region order of merit winner, ultimately achieved a three-stroke win, but he was not sure of victory until the 54th hole in the 70-degree heat.

Ryall, who didn't even finish second on his own, was well satisfied.

He has not played competitively for six months as he is suffering from a prolapsed disc in his back.

His main task these days is acting as coach to the phenomenal John Morgan who is playing on the US PGA Tour this year. He goes to America once a month.

He said: "I played some sloppy shots on the way home and hitting my drive into the lake on the 15th was not a very sensible option. But I'm delighted to finish second after all my back problems."

Austin only drew level with a birdie at the par-five 12th. Both players suffered setbacks on the attractive 127-yard 13th.

Austin hoisted an eight-iron into the back bunker and took four. Ryall's seven-iron cavorted into the pond to the left of the green so he took a double bogey.

While Austin parred home, Ryall continued to drop shots four in the final six holes and even lost overall second spot when he lipped out for a bogey on the final green.

Austin, with father Peter (a Tiverton member) pulling his trolley, said: "It wasn't as easy as the scores suggest. George pressed me all the time and I didn't know for certain I was going to win until the 18th green.

"I hit my second shot into a greenside bunker so it was possible George could birdie and I could bogey for a play-off."

He started with a one-under-par 71 to lie fourth. He moved into second place, one shot behind Ryall who carded 67, after the second round.

He closed with 70, four strokes better than Ryall who shared second spot with David Hutton (High Post) and 48-year-old Kevin Spurgeon (Dudsbury) who has started the season well.

David Miles was the talk of the championship. The 29-year-old Meyrick Park club professional stepped out of virtual playing retirement to finish in a tie for fifth place after leading by three shots in the opening round.

"It was the first time for three years I have played in an order of merit tournament and I really enjoyed it," he said. "It was clearly the best I've ever done.

"It was great to be in contention. I was very consistent and really pleased. But I couldn't get the ball up to the hole on the last day."