Phil Fox, who plays off a three handicap, shot a 74 off the stick to win the Inverell Open and claim the coveted silverware in trying conditions.

Against a field of 70 players who braved the cored greens and dry surroundings, Fox shot 37 on the front nine to be three-over at the turn before matching that with another 37 (one-over) on the back to finish with a 74 and claim the goodies.

It was just deserved for a man who has always been there or there abouts on the big occasions.

It was a great win for Fox, who by his own admission ‘scrambled all day’ and couldn’t get into a groove.

“I was a bit scrappy to be honest,” he said.

“I had to work all day to get it done.

“Fortunately my short game was good enough to carry me through when it mattered the most.”

Traditionally, such conditions mean good scoring is a lottery and Fox had to work for his luck.

Fox’s round was a model of consistency as the mercurial amateur made no serious assault on any of the holes and instead found himself having to make knee-knockers all day to remain in the hunt. It was heart in mouth stuff and Faldo-esque to say the least.

Now the tuning begins for the summer.