AN amateur golfer from Cleobury Mortimer is one step closer to playing with a star of the European Tour after winning a prestigious Bridgestone event on his club’s calendar.

Paul Judge won Bridgestone UK tyre division’s DriveGuard Trophy at Cleobury Mortimer Golf Club, which has put him on course for a round at the Pro-Am of the British Masters, supported by Sky Sports, in October.

The 22 handicapper won the stableford competition with 44 points, which now puts him on a journey to a regional final in June, followed by a Pro-Am appearance at the Bridgestone Challenge – a Challenge Tour event – at the end of August at Heythrop Park in Oxfordshire.

And if Judge, aged 41, is part of the winning team at Heythrop, he will then go on to play at the Pro-Am of the British Masters, supported by Sky Sports, at The Grove in October, where he will play with a household name of the sport.

The surprised Cleobury golfer said: “This must be the first round in ages that I haven’t lost a ball. It was a real shock victory.

“I started with a double bogey on the first hole. I think that helped me relax because I just felt that the pressure was off then. I didn’t check my score after that and it obviously worked.

“It was a great day. I played with my son, Tom, and he came third. I’m proud of him, but I’m definitely not letting him forget that I won!”

Bridgestone is embarking on an exciting golf sponsorship featuring a European Tour event partnership with the British Masters, supported by Sky Sports, the resurrection of an English based Challenge Tour tournament and a nationwide amateur competition with nearly 200 other clubs.

The DriveGuard Trophy is free to enter and accessible to golfers of all ages and handicaps and is open to men, women and juniors.