Merit is in McGlynn’s hands (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Merit is in McGlynn’s hands

4:10pm Friday 23rd September 2011 in Golf

BLACKBURN golfer Steve McGlynn needs a top seven finish at Sunday’s Pendle Witch event in Clitheroe to win the 2011 Northern Order of Merit.

McGlynn is currently second in the rankings, 30 points behind Hillside’s Richie Blundell.

But Blundell and Hurst Green’s Mark Young, the only remaining challenger, will miss the final event of the year because they are competing for Lancashire at the English County Championship.

McGlynn finished third in the Trafalgar Trophy at Nelson Golf Club at the weekend – an event that Nick Uttley won for a record fourth time.

On his home course, Uttley carded rounds of 70 and 68 to defeat clubmate Craig Fort on a card play-off.

Both Uttley and Fort had previously won the title three times since it became part of the Northern Order of Merit more than 20 years ago, but no-one at the King’s Causeway club had ever won it four times.

Daniel Nutter finished fourth, with Tony Flanagan in fifth spot.

* NELSON’S Chris Brindle was edged out in the Lancashire and Cheshire regional final of the Northern Matchplay Golf Championship on Sunday.

Brindle was defeated by Southport and Ainsdale’s Tony Miller on the 36th hole at West Lancashire Golf Club.

* MALCOLM Salmon took victory in Whalley Golf Club’s Vintage Decanter.

Salmon won the over 65s event ahead of runner-up Harry Tuley.