Gian-Marco Petrozzi enjoyed the biggest win of his career at the Welsh Open Stroke Play at the Vale Resort, with a strong showing from Wales players as three finished in the top seven.

English golfer Petrozzi, 20,  hopes the win can be the springboard for a challenge for a place in the Walker Cup.

And Welsh Walker Cup squad members Jack Davidson and Owen Edwards pushed their claims finishing third and fourth respectively.

Vale member Tim Harry showed a welcome return to form with a tied fifth finish, but it was Petrozzi who led from start to finish as he built on an opening 66 to finish nine shots clear of fellow Englishman Jack Gaunt.

Davidson would have been challenging for the home win but for a second round 80, after a start to the season which has already seen him claim the European Nations Cup and Spanish Amateur titles.

“This is a special win for me, the biggest of my career so far and hopefully will help towards my aspiration of getting into the Walker Cup team,” said Petrozzi, who finished on 13 under par.

“I felt comfortable all week, the first round put me in a good position and I could just play solidly from then hitting fairways and greens.”

The Trentham player was not named in the wider Walker Cup squad, but he is taking encouragement from Davidson and Ireland’s Robin Dawson who were added to the selection after their strong performances at the European Nations Cup.

“I have definitely taken some inspiration from from both of them, they have had a cracking start to the season and obviously I am trying to follow in their footsteps and force my way in,” he said.

“Hopefully a week like this will be eye-catching. I have enjoyed playing at the Vale, it is a great golf course.

“We play a lot of links golf so it is different for us, but is is great to be rewarded for good shots and punished for bad shots so it is fantastic to play a course like this.”

The Welsh Open Stroke Play attracted a strong field, including competitors from as far afield as Australia, South Africa and the United States, as well as a large Home Nations contingent.

“It was good to see such a strong competition and congratulations to Gian-Marco for coming through to win comfortably in the end,” said Golf Union of Wales championships manager David Wilson.

“It was also nice to see three Welsh competitors challenging strongly and finishing so high up on the leaderboard.

“The Vale Resort put on a great event and the players were delighted with the quality of the course and the challenge they faced.”