Mike Lindfield, winner of the pro’s prize, watches the flight of a tee shot during his 68 on Saturday at La Grande Mare. It was the best gross round of the day. (Picture by Andrew Le Poidevin, 0611457)

THE early bird captured the winning prize in Saturday’s Lloyds TSB Open at La Grande Mare. Paul Nash came out on top of the club’s big competition of the summer with the only sub-par net round of the day after he had been in the first group to tee off at 6.40am.

The 18 handicapper, who was already a long way ahead in the club’s order of merit before this event, shot a gross 78 to set a standard in the clubhouse that was not to be beaten by a field of more than 125 golfers. His winning margin was a relatively huge one of four shots.

Former world indoor bowls champion Nicky Donaldson claimed second place on countback from Brian Robson. They both finished on level-par net 64. Yet Nash made a far-from-solid start.

On the 315-yard first, he carded a triple bogey seven. But that was as bad as things were to get.