JAMES Robinson has made history by becoming the first amateur to win an event on the PGA EuroPro Tour. Robinson, 22, was only competing at the VEKA and Network VEKA UK Open at De Vere Slaley Hall in Northumberland after being given a sponsors’ invite into the tournament.

But that did not stop him as he finished one shot ahead of Jamie Abbott and James Hepworth, although Robinson’s amateur status meant he did not collect the £10,000 top prize, which was instead shared between Abbott and Hepworth.

“It’s a great honour to be the first amateur player to win on the EuroPro Tour,” said Robinson. “I’m sure there will be others that will follow in my footsteps but it’s nice to be the first.

“I’m thinking about turning professional and it all depends on how I do at Tour School, so I will just wait and see.

“I’m a bit gutted to not get the £10,000, but I don’t want to turn professional and then struggle. I would rather be ready, experienced and fully equipped. I’m getting really good coaching and it develops you as a player, but I certainly have the taste of being a professional.

“This victory does a lot for my confidence as I’ve proved myself in a bigger field with better players. My biggest win before this was in the Lytham Trophy which was massive for me and great to win at my favourite course in front of my mum and dad. But it’s very nice to go and win a professional event as well and it’s hard to say what the best win was.

“On the last day it was just a case of holding on to the lead as we (Robinson and playing partner Hepworth) were egging each other on. He needed to do well to try and get his Challenge Tour card, but knew if I won it wouldn’t affect how much money he won so he was made up for me.”