AN AMATEUR golfer from Reading is one step closer to playing with a star of the European Tour after winning an event at Mapledurham Golf Club.

Khayyam Aslam won Bridgestone UK tyre division’s DriveGuard Trophy, which has put him on course for a round at the Pro-Am of the British Masters – supported by Sky Sports – in October.

The 13 handicapper, who has now dropped to 11 following his win, won the medal competition with a gross 76 which puts him on a journey to a regional final in June, followed by a Pro-Am appearance at the Bridgestone Challenge – a Challenge Tour event – at the end of August at Heythrop Park in Oxfordshire.

And if Khayyam, 43, is part of the winning team at Heythrop, he will then go on to play at the Pro-Am of the British Masters at The Grove, where he will play with a household name of the sport.

The ecstatic Khayyam said: “I didn’t start playing golf until my early thirties, so I’m pretty late to picking up the sport. I was surprised to win but I’m glad I did.

“I’ve only recently come back from a serious injury, so I knew it was going to be tough. I made it even tougher when I started the round with a quadruple bogey, but I fought my way back.”

He added: “I played strategically and just played my natural game. I remember getting a consecutive birdie and eagle on the back nine.

“Bridgestone have offered a super opportunity for an amateur to play with some professional golfers on a brilliant course. I’m looking forward to appearing in the regional final in June.”

The DriveGuard Trophy is free to enter and open to golfers of all ages and handicaps.