Michael Watson and John Bickerton enjoyed the tranquil, windless conditions over their favourite Burnham and Berrow links to continue their success in the annual pro-am at the outstanding championship venue.

Last year Wessex Golf Centre’s Watson booked a spot in the PGA Cup team by finishing fourth in the PGA Championship held there last season. He also won the pro-am the previous year.

Bickerton, the former European Tour winner who retired to the West and is now a professional at Minehead and West Somerset, plays occasionally but achieved his only previous West win at Burnham last year.

Watson, who is enjoying only a modest season by his high standards with wins only in the Dudsbury Masters pro-am and Devon PGA event at Tavistock, opened and closed with bogeys but six birdies enabled him to post three-under-par 68.

Bickerton, whose European Tour career was cruelly cut short through injury, made an outstanding start. He was out in four-under 32 after collecting three successive birdies from the second. But the return was tougher and he also bogeyed the last.

Adam Frayne (Yelverton) returned the only blemish-free round of the day. Birdies at the third and fourth, plus 16 pars for 69, earned a share of third with Greg Davies (Basset Down).

The young Wiltshire assistant, whose playing opportunities are limited because of work, is a player to watch as he also featured in the final group in the regional championship at Saunton after an exhilarating opening round.

First off Richard Dinsdale (Asbri Golf) threatened to post an early winning score but a triple bogey seven on the last when he dragged his second shot out of bounds proved costly and he ended in a share of eighth.

The formidable duo of Russell Berry (Broadway) and Richard O'Hanlon (St Kew) shared fifth with Dom Narramore (Dorset Golf and Country Club).

Narramore’s best return in his third professional season was founded on a remarkable run of five birdies in six holes including four in a row. So it was no surprise this contribution helped his team from the Dorset club, including his father Mark, Matt Swift and Callum Ward, return 84 points to win the team award.

Scott Drummond’s Devon-based team of Ian Hazledine, Gareth Mitchell and Martin Wallace were second on 83 followed a shot behind by Frayne with Tim, Roger and Jamie Shobrook from Yelverton.

Result: 68 Michael Watson (Wessex Golf Centre), John Bickerton (Minehead & West Somerset), 69 Greg Davies (Basset Down), Adam Frayne (Yelverton), 70 Russell Berry (Broadway), Richard O'Hanlon (St Kew), Dom Narramore (Dorset Golf & Country Club), 71 Richard Dinsdale (Asbri Golf), Lee Thompson (Dudsbury), Charlie Cossins (Ogbourne Downs), 72 Scott Drummond (Plymouth), James Baldwin (Parkstone), J Ruth (China Fleet), 73 Ashley Mansell (Clevedon), Jon Bevan (Sherborn), Nick Williams (St Enodoc).