Finch's fledgling career takes off in Italy

Former English amateur champion Richard Finch, playing just the ninth European Tour event of his career and ranked 716th in the world, broke the course record with a dazzling second-round 63 at the Italian Open in Milan today.

The 27-year-old from Hull, who came through the qualifying school at the third attempt last November, had an eagle and eight birdies to burst to 12 under par and into a three-stroke lead.

Finch, winner of the English amateur crown in 2002, eagled the 526-yard first and birdied all four of the par threes to knock one shot off the record for the Castello di Tolcinasco course.

Frenchman Gregory Havret had set the record in finishing third last year and he was among Finch’s closest challengers, a 65 taking him to nine under and alongside former Ryder Cup man Paul Broadhurst, who in Portugal last month had his first tour victory for 10 years.

On Wednesday Broadhurst finished dead last in the curtain-raising pro-am with an eight-over-par 80 and told his wife to expect him back home at the weekend.

But the 39-year-old completed an opening 70 first thing this morning - Thursday’s play had been halted in late afternoon by a thunderstorm – and then added a 65, playing the last 12 holes in seven under.

Broadhurst’s victory prompted a letter of congratulation from South African legend Gary Player.

“It’s nice to get a letter from anybody, but to get one from someone of his stature is great,” said the Warwickshire golfer.

“I’ve only played nine holes with him in a practice round for the Open at Troon in 1989, but he spoke to me in Qatar a couple of years ago and the letter said ’Well done – it’s nice to see you performing well’.”

Television commentator Peter Alliss was another to make contact, telling Broadhurst: “I’ve always admired the way you play the game. Not always technically, but for being easy-going.”

County colleague Steve Webster, five times a runner-up on tour without yet winning, gave himself another change that, two 68s putting him joint fourth with Devon left-hander Stuart Little, who equalled the old course record of 64 and Italian Emanuele Canonica.