Yorkshire golf: Sam Wilkinson edges Charlie Thornton to enjoy Thompson Trophy success

The Oaks GC's Sam Wilkinson with the Thompson Trophy.

But The Oaks GC 19-year-old required a birdie at the final hole to get the better of the host club's Charlie Thornton, who last month produced a fine performance to finish just outside the top 10 in the prestigious Peter McEvoy Trophy.

Wilkinson shot a two-under-par 70 to win the invitational event, which sees 24 of the York Union of Golf Clubs' best players lined up in an 18-hole tournament that precedes the start of the Inter-District Union season next weekend.

Former Fulford member Wilkinson went out in level-par 36 before making consecutive birdies at the 12th and 13th holes.

He gave a shot back on the 15th, but sank a crucial birdie putt on the final hole to secure his first big victory of the season.

Wilkinson, who moves to a handicap of plus one, said: “I am really happy with that. I have been preparing for this season really well and making some good progress. I am really happy with the way it is going.

“I played really well, didn’t make too many mistakes - left a couple of putts short - but was really happy with the way it went.”

Wilkinson added: “You are invited to play and you have that honour and so to go out and win it is brilliant.

“My aims for the season are that I’d like to get my handicap a little bit lower, hopefully get a few top-10 finishes in some bigger events around the country, rise a little bit in the world rankings and, within the next couple of years, start to think about turning professional."