The regal surroundings of Hampton Court Palace were a fitting backdrop as Yorkshire’s Paul Bradshaw celebrated his coronation as the Crown Golf English PGA Assistants’ champion.

The Spaldington professional, who was in the first group out, paved the way to glory among the wild deer in Surrey with a majestic course record seven-under-par 64 – to lead at the halfway mark in the 36-hole championship. He followed this up with a more conservative 67 for an 11-under-par total.

A dropped shot at the last made the 30-year-old sweat it out for three hours before being confirmed as champion – two shots clear of Stonebridge’s Andrew Jones, the Midland Assistants’ No 1.

But, in truth, it was going to take a Herculean effort from the rest of the field to deny Bradshaw his moment of glory after his nearest challenger at the midway point, Exeter’s Chris Gill, the new West Region No 1, could only add a level par 71 to his opening 65.

Bradshaw’s course record burst into life with a birdie at the fifth, having begun with four straight pars. He added another six birdies and an eagle at the par five 14th for good measure but handed two shots back.

In the afternoon, he again eagled the 14th, his final gains of the day. It was accompanied by five birdies but also three bogeys, frustratingly one at the last when he three-putted.

That meant the outcome remained in the balance, particularly with defending champion Guy Woodman the last man in. However, the East Berkshire pro finished at six-under-par to bring the wait to an end – 10 and a quarter hours after Bradshaw had teed off.

“I was sweating it out a bit as last year’s champion was in the last group,” he said.

“I three-putted the last and I wasn’t very happy about it and thought Guy might come in with something, but thankfully he didn’t.

“It’s great to win this because I haven’t won anything in a while or on this scale. I’ve won a couple of pro-ams this year but nothing like this.

“It’s a great achievement as it’s my last year as an assistant as well.”

He added: “I set it up this morning as I hit some really good shots, holed the putts and didn’t make many mistakes. The afternoon I was little bit wayward but managed to get it round.

“We played the first round in just over three hours and then had two hours before teeing off again and I just stiffened up. It wasn’t same swing as the morning but after eight holes I got it back and started playing again.”

Second place Jones, who added a 66 to his opening 67, admitted that Bradshaw’s opening gambit had forced a change of tact for his second round.

“I had a bit of a ropey start as I was a couple over after seven, but went on a bit of run to come back in 30 to turn it right round,” he said.

“But a couple of three putts early on cost me as I was a bit too aggressive a bit too early. Realising seven-under was leading and that it would get to double figures meant I pushed a bit too hard at the start and was a bit aggressive with the putting.

“But this is a good end to the season. I’ve played well all year really. I won the Assistants’ Order of Merit in the Midland Region and a couple of county events, so it’s been pretty good.”

Lavender Park’s James Martin finished third at eight-under-par with rounds of 68 and 66.

Stephen Lewis, chief executive officer of Crown Golf, the largest owner and operator of golf courses in the UK, hailed the standard of competition and Crown Golf’s commitment to the sport.

“We’re very involved in the golf game and being involved in a tournament like this is very important for the group,” he said.

“It gives us a chance to give a little bit back to the game and to see the development and talent of assistant professionals.

“We do the easy bit, but Paul Orchard-Lyle provides the prize fund in conjunction with Crown Golf.

“As a group, we hope to get the English Open under way in 2011 and hopefully honour the promise that the winners of the two tournaments to date get a slot in the English Open. We won’t forget that promise.”

Result: 1 131(-11) Paul Bradshaw Spaldington 64 67, 2 133 (-9) Andrew Jones Stonebridge 67 66, 3 134 (-8) James Martin Lavender Park 68 66, 4= 136 (-6) Chris Gill Exeter 65 71, Nick Korynevsky Bristol 67 69, Johannes Lombard Birchwood Park 67 69, Ben Scott Clitheroe 71 65, Guy Woodman East Berkshire 68 68.