LEE Thompson won the Minchinhampton New pro-am over the Avening course at Gloucestershire’s leading venue while using a set of new clubs for the first time.

The Dudsbury man finished with three successive birdies to share top spot with visiting player Darren Bragg (North London Golf Academy), who used to play in Asia and on the Challenge Tour.

Thompson’s fifth win of another prolific season was shaped by a birdie at the third and eagle at 11th. He dropped his only shot on the 12th before his birdie blitz finish. He also led the trio of amateurs Ben Taylor, John Dennis and Alan Taylor into third place.

His close pal and coach, home teaching pro Stuart Little, threatened to upstage him. The big-hitting left hander, last man on the course, looked a probable winner after an eagle at the eighth and birdies at the sixth, 11th and 16th.

But he dropped his second shot at the par three 17th and a birdie at the last left him a shot behind on 66.

Wiltshire’s Craig Bell was joint third in his first outing of the season. He was the only player not to drop a shot. He was joined on 67 by former Ryder Cup player Phillip Price, who made five birdies but dropped two shots, and David Dixon (Enmore Park).

Michael Watson (Wessex GC) shared fourth on 68 with Gra-ham Howell (Ferndown Forest) eighth on 69, one better than Paul Jones (Canford Magna).