RAYLEIGH Golf Range’s Mark Hooper won the Weston Homes Classic at Bishop’s Stortford by five shots The 27-year-old finished ahead of Noel Quinn from the Whipsnade Golf Club.

It was the second of six PGA East Region order of merit events of the season sponsored by Virgin Atlantic.

And Hooper led the field after an opening round of 67.

He followed up with a superb round of 65 to blow away all his rivals.

It was Hooper’s second regional order of merit victory, the first coming at Stock Brook Golf and Country Club in 2009 the year he finished third in the order of merit and he was thrilled to come out on top.

“It was the best I have putted for ages,” said a delighted Hooper, was who four under after his first seven holes and eight under overall.

Hooper found a bush behind the green at the 167-yard eighth hole.

He took a penalty drop and ended with a double bogey, the only blemish in an otherwise brilliant round that included eight birdies.

The 11th hole proved crucial.

He feared his tee shot might be out of bounds to the right so took a provisional which was wide to the left.

His first ball was in play but blocked out by trees.

His second shot ended 30 yards pin-high to the left of the green from where he chipped in with a nine-iron.

“It was an unbelievable chip,” he admitted.

It was a day when it seemed nothing could de-rail his challenge.

He went 10 under for the tournament at the 13th hole.

He had pars for the rest of his round thanks to sinking several 12 foot putts and recovering from being plugged in the face of a bunker at the difficult 14th hole.