MONMOUTHSHIRE'S Owen Edwards made the most of home advantage to win the Ben Enoch Memorial Award as the leading Welshman at the Welsh Open Youth Championships.

However remarkable scoring on the front nine holes of the Monmouthshire course brought Bingley's William Whiteoak the overall Welsh Open Youth title.

Whiteoak was an incredible 21 shots under par over the front nine in the four rounds, with two eagles and 20 birdies in those 36 holes, which set the platform for a -16 score overall to take the title by nine shots from Huddersfield's Nick Marsh.

Edwards was fifth on level par, holding off the challenge of Welsh international Henry James from Kidderminster by just one shot. James shot a final round 67 to push hard, but a 69 from Edwards was enough to maintain a slight lead.

There was a strong showing from Welsh players with with Green Meadow's Otto Mand and Newport's Julian Sansom both getting top 10 finishes. There were 16 Welsh players who made the cut.

"It was good to see so many Welsh players performing strongly," said Golf Union of Wales championship manager Rhys James.

"It was a particularly good performance from Owen to claim the Ben Enoch Memorial Award, pushed hard by Henry, but no-one could live with the scoring on the front nine of William Whiteoak – you do not see that level of scoring very often at any level of golf.

"Seeing 16 Welsh player making the cut was encouraging, but in some ways the best local performer was the course itself. The condition of the Monmouthshire course was excellent, while the hospitality of the club and staff was great both before and during the event."