Pounding the pavements for 40 miles a week doesn't seem to have affected Jamie Harris' golf.

The punishing routine is part of a programme to get into shape for the London Marathon on April 18. In between the pain sessions the Nevill assistant popped into West Hove and tore the course apart with an eight-under-par 63.

This gave him top spot on the leaderboard in the last of the three Sussex PGU Winter Series events but was not enough to clinch the overall winners' prize.

Nevertheless, Harris signed for a great round which equalled his previous best in the 2000 Open qualifying.

No matter that the field played a shortened West Hove at 6,028 yards from the yellows and winter rules of pick 'n' place scrubbed any chance of a record, this was a prime example of what Harris can do when in the mood.

Currently he is focussed on doing well in the marathon and raising money for Dreams Come True, his nominated children's charity.

He said: "I've had bad legs lately which is not surprising with the miles I'm doing. I was pretty happy with the golf although I had two three-putt greens."

But his putter blew hot for the most part. A 20-footer dropped for an eagle at the fifth. Altogether there were six greens when he needed the putter only once. At the seventh he holed from 30ft, only to three-putt the next and the ninth when he drove the green.

His card was, Out: 4, 4, 3, 3, 3, 4, 2, 4,4=31; In: 3,3,3,4,3,3,4,4,5=32.

No fewer than ten players broke par including the young West Hove assistant Russell Cronin who scored five birdies in his 69.

Just when he looked set for an even better round Russell required four putts at the shortish 17th. Tim Spence notched six birdies on the front nine but only one coming home for 66 and he was joint runner-up on the day with Bruce Whalley.

The Tilgate assistant had half a dozen birdies on a near faultless card of 66.

Whalley, who won the opening series at Piltdown but missed the second meeting at Royal Eastbourne, made sure of finishing top with prize money of £650.

Thanks to contributions from vice-presidents, the SPGU was able to make £4,500 available over the three dates. Jason Partridge took second place overall with £450.

The bravest nine at West Hove was returned by Lee Morris with a three under 32 after going out in an horrendous 46 that included a seven and a brace of sixes.