ONLY one other golfer in more than 60 years has shot as good a round at Malton and Norton Golf Club as Selby GC professional Nick Ludwell managed this week.

The 31-year-old Ludwell equalled the course record at Malton with a second round 65 on his way to victory in the Yorkshire PGA Classic.

It was a performance that saw him finish three shots clear of the field with a 36-hole total of 135 and his afternoon heroics also matched Pike Hills amateur Martin Brown's efforts this summer on a course that was built in the 1940s.

Ludwell, a former England amateur team-mate of Lee Westwood who once finished joint ninth in the Scottish Open, blitzed the front nine during his record-equalling round, carding 31 with birdies on the first, second, fourth, eighth and ninth holes.

He then birdied the 12th and 18th holes but bogeyed the 15th on his way home as he pencilled in his name alongside that of Brown, who set the record in a Yorkshire League Third Division match, in the Malton and Norton clubhouse.

Ludwell's previous best round at Malton had been a 68 and, while admitting he had chances to shoot an even lower score, he admitted to being pleased with his performance.

He said: "I competed all right in the morning and then just picked up in the afternoon. There were a couple of chances to score better but nothing exceptional.

"I dropped a shot on the 15th hole in both rounds and it's only a straightforward par four. I was just short of the green in two on the par five fifth as well and had an easy chip and putt but ended up with a par.

"The next two holes were also shortish par fours but I did not cash in, so it could have been one or two shots better but then you can always say that. I think Malton is a good test.

"The wind was blowing but it was set up nice and long which was a bonus and it's a course that is always improving and maturing."

Ludwell's lowest ever round was a 63 that clinched victory in a Euro Pro Tour at Prince's in Kent last May.

He was also the Yorkshire Strokeplay champion in 1994 but his finest competition performance came at the Scottish Open in Gleneagles during the two years he spent on the full European Tour.

His top-ten finish behind Sweden's Pierre Fulke in the 2000 competition earned him a cheque for £13,929 after consistent rounds of 71, 70, 71 and 70.

Sadly, a back injury shortly afterwards caused him to take a break from golf and he could not play a round of golf in 2001, causing him to lose his Tour card.

"I was starting to play some good golf," Ludwell recalled. "But I was diagnosed with a back problem and out of action for just over a year which was very frustrating at the time."

Ludwell first hit a golf ball at Eggborough Power Station before becoming a junior member at Selby and Pontefract.

He went on to play for England as an amateur, teaming up with Ryder Cup star Westwood and current tour pro Ian Garbutt.

Ludwell admitted, however, that he did not recognise Westwood's star quality at the time, saying: "You could not really tell how good he would become.

"He was just a quiet and very assuming man really but then he just exploded on to the scene which was excellent to see."

Ludwell is currently competing on the Euro Pro Tour, as well as playing in Yorkshire PGA tournaments and is an enthusiastic supporter of both events.

He said: "I always try to support the Yorkshire PGA tournaments. It is a well-run organisation and I prefer it to the Northern Regions, which does not have enough events.

"The Euro Pro Tour is very competitive and is a good alternative for quality golfers to try to get their card instead of the Challenge Tour, which involves more travelling and paying out more money.

"I've played on both tours and there is very little difference in terms of the standard."

Ludwell is enjoying his first years as Selby's club professional but still has at least one target left as a competitive golfer.

He has fallen at the final qualifying hurdle on four occasions in his bid to play in the Open but will not give up on his dream, saying: "I have never played in it. I got to the final qualifying round again this year, as I did do in 2000 and twice in the 1990s.

"It is the best thing you can get in so I will not stop trying yet."

Updated: 10:14 Saturday, September 27, 2003