Paul Lyons is the new Sussex Professional champion after two composed rounds of 67 in testing conditions at West Hove left the field struggling in his wake.

Early starter Lyons, a former Tour pro, set a daunting target of 134, amassing a total of 12 birdies in a day's golf finishing eight under par.

Nobody on a wet and windswept course could live with that but several came close, notably Carl Rota, Tim Spence, David Mills, Giles Velvick and Jason Partridge.

No wonder Lyons will, in future, concentrate more on Sussex PGU events as his reward was £2,000 out of a prize fund of nearly £10,000.

Using a new and slightly heavier putter for the first time paid off for Lyons on slick greens. His only disappointment was three-putting the 17th on his final round.

He said: "I putted as good as I have for ages."

West Hove is unfamiliar country to the Sweetwoods pro and he declared himself to be satisfied with the course and also endorsed the qualities of a new Callaway ERC 2 driver that bored the ball huge distances through the wind.

When it came to spectacular shots the palm belonged to Partridge who holed his second at the par four 12th. The hole is 445 yards and Jason took a wedge and knocked in an eagle from 155 yards. Staying with the same putter, but trying a new stance, also worked for him as rounds of 71 and 70 testified.

As for big hits, both Charlie Giddins and Mark Root hit the green with their tee shots at the ninth (387 yards) downwind and using the latest Callaways.

But it was Lyons who kept up the pressure after leading by two strokes at the halfway stage. Going out in the afternoon he had birdies at five, six, eight and 11 and two more at 14 and 16.

This was no less impressive than the morning when he had birdies in succession starting at the fourth and a round half dozen before enjoying his lunch.

Jason Partridge, in his first year as Piltdown's head professional, has won the Sussex PGU Order of Merit. He was hard pressed by Gordon Murray, David Mills and Giles Velvick.

Top ten: Jason Partridge (Piltdown), 464 points; 2 Gordon Murray (Holtye), 456; 3 David Mills (Seaford), 424; 4 Giles Velvick (Horam Park), 422; 5 Paul Lyons (Sweetwoods Park), 418; 6 Mark Root (Effingham Park), 401; 7 Joel O'Hara (Tilgate Forest), 391; 8 Darren Cook (West Hove) 369.5; 9 Lee Morris (Piltdown), 362; Calum Callan (Cottesmore), 362.