Nessling clinches Sussex title

Paul Nessling clutches the Sussex Open Golf Championship trophy

Nessling, of Cooden Beach GC with a coaching attachment to Beauport Park GC, defied a stress fracture in his foot to clinch the 36-hole event at Mid Sussex GC by three shots.

The Hastings-based 24-year-old was supposed to be resting his foot and admitted it was a risk to compete, but said the victory made it worthwhile.

Nessling began with a one-under-par 70 to trail overnight leader and eventual runner-up Len Cooper (Burgess Hill) by three.

But he started round two the following day with an eagle at the second followed by birdies at the fourth, ninth and 10th.

Although he made his second bogey of the day at the 12th, a hat-trick of birdies from the 15th meant last year’s runner-up Nessling signed for a superb 65.