TONY Holt lifted the Lancashire Evening Telegraph Harold Ryden Trophy at the third attempt - but nearly injured his mother-in-law in the process!

Holt, a member at Wilpshire, won ELGA's showpiece event after a sensational 3 and 2 victory over Darwen's Gary Phillipson in the rain at Pleasington last night.

But his celebrations were very nearly marred when he hooked a tee shot on the 15th and his ball flew towards the crowd, narrowly missing his mother-in-law before bouncing off a tree and back into play. "I could have won the Harold Ryden and killed my mother-in-law all in one swoop!" Holt joked.

"It means everything to me to win this," said the delighted ELGA captain.

"I'm chuffed to bits. I feel like I could do hula-hoops. It's the pinnacle of my career without a doubt."

It was the 39-year-old's third appearance in the final after twice finishing runner up in 1990 and 1991.

"I thought my chance had gone after losing out twice before.

"To get back into the final after seven years I just felt I had to give it my best shot."

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