Verulam Golf Club's Glen Portelli won the Weston Homes plc/Royal Cromer Classic to lift him into contention for a place in the PGA Play-Offs in Turkey in November.

The 24-year-old's success came when the current leaders in the PGA in England East order of merit table all missed out on a top ten finish.

This is the third year since Portelli has turned professional and it was his third order of merit victory.

Portelli said: “I started three shots behind but reduced the gap with successive birdies at the sixth and seventh holes. I was creating plenty of opportunities but was not putting particularly well. I am looking forward to playing in the final two order of merit events this month.”

It is a busy autumn for Portelli. He is in the Hertfordshire team, together with James Ruebotham and James Jankowski, for the PGA England and Wales inter-county championship final at the Belfry between October 13 and 14. He is also in the PGA European Tour School first qualifier at Frilford Heath between October 6 to 9.

A birdie at the 119-yard 17th put Portelli three-under-par for the tournament leaving his nearest rival, first round leader Chris Cutchie of Colchester, needing an eagle down the last if he was to force a play-off but could not achieve this.