James Sharp set a course record at Eastbourne Downs with a six under par 66 to lead the Sussex Boys’ Champion of Champions by six shots.

But the dream round turned into a nightmare on his second visit to the 6,601-yard track made at least two shots harder by a freshening wind.

From a card studded with an eagle and five birdies, Sharp’s afternoon figures dissolved into an horrific blur with an eight and a nine.

It all added up to an 84 and a 150 total, five strokes behind local winner Bradley Turner.

He had rounds of 73 and 72 which spoke volumes for his composure and gave him victory by three shots.

Sharp was out of the awards.

The 17-year-old from Hollingbury Park, currently in his second year at Lindfield Academy, said: “Perhaps I was trying to protect my morning round and that was in the back of my mind.

“My timing was a bit off which caused me to hit poor shots at the wrong times.”

Of the memorable 66 that broke the record by two shots, Sharp explained: “I didn’t do anything extra special. I didn’t feel that I was seven under after ten holes which I was.”

An opening burst of three successive birdies saw Sharp out in 32 and then came an eagle at the 521-yard tenth, thanks to a 350-yard drive, seven iron and 15-yard putt.

In all he had ten one-putt greens making a nonsense of the 2.7 handicap he has at Hollingbury.

He made only one small mistake, over-clubbing at the 168-yard 14th which cost his only dropped shot.

Turner, 17, who works in Terry Marshall’s shop, congratulated Sharp in his acceptance speech.

This added to the credit of a winner who started his golf as a ten-year-old at Eastbourne Golf Park.

Turner’s powers of recovery were demonstrated during his second round at the sixth and seventh holes when, despite landing in heavy rough, he twice made par.

He said: “After 18 I just said, ‘well done’ to James and thought to myself, I’ll see what I can do.”

Turner, also a member at Highwoods, has been the Downs junior champion since 2005 and overall club champion in 2007.

He attributes much of his prowess to Ryan Fenwick, Sussex’s junior coach whom he visits at Slinfold Park.

David Richardson, the Downs president, said: “I never thought I’d live to see the day when the club record was down to 66. It’s a tough old course and this took some doing.”