GOLFING guru Jonathan Adler put his own philosophy into practice to lift the prestigious 72-hole strokeplay trophy at the Bournemouth Open, reports Andy Goodall.

The 43-year-old sports psychologist won a three-hole play off against Warrick Dawson, from Staffordshire, after both players had finished tied on 283.

Adler, who has since been cut from a 10 handicap to eight, was an incredible 12 shots behind the leaders going into the final day after rounds of 70 (Meyrick Park), 79 (Queens Park) and 68 (Meyrick Park).

But a closing 66, the best nett score of the week at Queens Park, gave the Dudsbury player an unexpected chance of victory.

And Adler overturned a one-shot deficit after the first play-off hole to lift the title with two consecutive pars as Dawson dropped three shots.

“I meditated between each shot by focusing on something simple and in the play-off it was the first time all week that I didn’t have any anxiety,” said Adler, who has worked with several of the county’s professionals including European Senior Tour star Kevin Spurgeon.

For all the Bournemouth Open week results, log on to their website at www.bournemouthopen.net/results Dorset professionals Kevin Spurgeon and Lee James enjoyed mixed fortunes in their respective European tours yesterday.

Ferndown’s Spurgeon carded a level par 72 for a share of fourth place after the first round of the Ryder Cup Wales Seniors Open at Royal Porthcawl.

Broadstone’s James, meanwhile, missed the cut in the co-sanctioned Saint-Omer Open by just one shot after rounds of 74 and 73 for a five-over-par total in France.