Alistair Malins has won the Earl De La Warr Challenge Cup at the Sussex PGU Spring meeting.

Malins, playing only his second tournament in 18 months, topped the leaderboard at Crowborough Beacon with a two under par 69 to take home a handsome chunk of silverware.

He said: “I hit the ball solidly but nothing spectacular. I’m pleased as I’ve never won anything in the SPGU before.”

For a long time Chris Purton’s 71 was the score to beat but Malins, 28, breezed in at the end of the field to snatch the £400 cheque.

Malins cheerfully admitted to three-putting more than once but had a chip-in at the 145-yard 17th for a birdie.

The course was unforgiving but the ball had to be played as it lay because winter rules no longer apply.

That explained 17 cards in the 80s and over and put Malins’ performance in perspective.

His opportunities to play have been restricted because of teaching responsibilties at Haywards Heath where he is a fully qualified assistant.

He turned professional in 2004 and was in the Heath team that won the Davies and Tate Trophy.

Purton was re-visiting Crowborough with happy memories.

As an amateur he won the Beacon Trophy in 1983 and his name figures on the display of honour boards.

This time he put in a tidy card but did not make enough putts. In an outward 36 he collected only one birdie just before the turn then picked-up strokes at 11 and 15 for level par.

A stroke behind in third spot came Mike Camille, a new arrival to the staff at Burgess Hill, while Charlie Giddins shared fourth place with Jason Partridge and Lea Cooper on 73.