by Alex Hoad

Matt Haines' superb start to life as a golf professional continued with a fine joint second-placed finish in the European Tour’s Saint Omer Open in France.

The 20-year-old from Rochester only turned professional last month and had competed in just four pro tournaments before his five-under-par effort at Saint Omer –which earned him a share of second spot, two shots behind winner Austrian Martin Wiegele and £30,000 in prize money.

It was just the former Walker Cup player’s second appearance on the senior European Tour – his previous foray at the Spanish Open ended in disappointment after disqualification on a technicality.

He has taken part in several tournaments on the lower tier Challenge Tour and his result in France lifted him to fifth in the rankings.

Haines will not be competing at this year’s Open Championship at St Andrew’s after pulling out of his qualifying round on Monday due to a hectic schedule.

Haines’ fellow Rochester & Cobham Park members Michael Bush and Jordan Godwin produced fine performances in the Open Championship regional qualifying event at the London Club on Monday.

Bush carded a 68 while amateur Godwin was a further shot back. The pair will now go forward to Local Final Qualifying for the Open at one of four Scottish courses on Tuesday.

However, Lloyd Godwin – Jordan’s cousin – missed out by two shots after carding a 72 and his fellow Rochester & Cobham Park amateur Alfie Plant was a futher shot back while Lloyd Campbell carded a 75 and amateur Damien Turner was a further shot back.

Sittingbourne’s John Hearn also missed out after a 73.

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