An incredible display of consistency saw Baildon’s James Firth win his first Bradford Open.

The 31-year-old did not drop a shot until the 14th hole of his second round at Bradford Golf Club on his way to a superb winning total of eight under par.

That included a course record-equalling seven-under 64 for his first round, which paved the way for an impressive five-shot victory margin.

Just like new Open champion Louis Oosthuizen, Firth – who hopes to complete a double by helping Baildon reclaim the Scratch League crown at home to The Manor on Friday – was not fazed by a sizeable lead at the halfway mark.

Three shots clear of host club member 17-year-old Matthew Atter after 18 holes – and admitting the title was “his to blow” – Firth stayed in the zone.

The +0.5 handicapper said: “I knew if I shot under par, it was in my hands. It was just up to me and that was a good thing. I was playing that well, I just thought, why change?”

Firth, who once held the course record at Northcliffe before good friend Simon Bell snatched it off him, equalled Richard Bond’s record 64 – made last month on captain’s day – with birdies at holes four, six, eight, nine, 11, 15 and 17. He even lipped out from 15 feet for a 63 on the last.

Playing in the final group with his ‘lucky charm’, defending champion Danny Rowley – a player Firth said he always seems to play well with – the Baildon ace followed that with eight straight pars.

Birdies at nine and 11 were followed by his first bogeys at 14 and 15 but the Idle-based player had several shots to spare.

Firth also claimed the Sydney Carr Trophy for best amateur and the Jim Wade Trophy for best combined score with the Amateur Strokeplay.

“I’ve been close in the Hawksworth Trophy and got to the Yorkshire Amateur semi-finals but it is nice to win something, especially with the professionals playing,” he said.

“I thought the course was in excellent nick and would like to thank the Baildon members who turned out in force to support.”

Hollins Hall’s Chris Howe finished runner-up with rounds of 70 and 69 ahead of Atter (67, 72) on a countback. Shipley’s Nathan Stead was top professional in fifth with 75 and 66.

Top ten: J Firth (Baildon) 64+70=134, C Howe (Hollins Hall) 70+69=139, M Atter (Bradford 67+72=139, O Young (Northcliffe) 70+70=140, N Stead (Shipley) 75+66=141, T Brushwood (West Bradford) 72+69=141, R Masters (Baildon) 70+71=141, A Bean (Bradford) 71+71=142, M Evans (Hollins Hall) 73+70=143, P Thomas (West Bradford) 71+72=143.