Rounds of 67-65-70-72. That early surge proved decisive.
Alex Emms (Bishampton, England) finished at 4-under par to win the Hampshire Salver at Blackmoor Golf Club in Hampshire, England, holding off Jack Diment by a single shot.
Diment, an assistant club manager at Luffenham Heath Golf Club, made a strong push but came up one short at 3-under (71-64-70-67).
Emms built his advantage at the Selborne Salver, opening with rounds of 67 and 65 to lead the field at 6-under 132. He followed with 70-72 at the Hampshire Hog, giving some shots back but doing enough to stay in front.
The Hampshire Salver is one of the tougher early season tests in England, combining the Selborne Salver and the Hampshire Hog into a 72-hole event played across two days. It rewards strong starts and mental resilience. Emms delivered both.
The win adds to a steady rise for Emms, who funds his season through crowdfunding while working at a pro shop. Last year, he posted two third-place finishes at the West of England Stroke Play Championship and the North of England Open Amateur Championship.
Defending champion George Saunders (Liphook, England) withdrew due to a wrist injury that flared up following last week’s Berkhamsted Trophy.