MARK Young admits heading back to the practice ground paid huge dividends after retaining his Mitsushiba Northern Order of Merit title.

The plus-three handicapper from Hurst Green became the first golfer in 13 years to defend the title following his 10th place finish in the Ashton Trophy at St Annes Old Links.

With just one round to go – the Bolton Old Links Trophy on October 4 – Young’s commanding 290 point advantage over second-placed Sam Stuart of Chorley was enough to see him crowned champion.

But Lancashire ace Young, who turns 27 next week, admits his success did not look possible after an indifferent start to his year.

Only after going back to the drawing board, to improve upon his consistency, did the Longridge ace finally get his act together.

“I’m playing really well at the moment,” said Young, who won four events this year. “But that wasn’t the situation at the start of the year.

“I could play two good rounds, but then chuck in a bad round. I was struggling for consistency and just not hitting the ball well.

“But a couple of months ago, I practiced and practiced on getting things right. I think everyone has to when things aren’t going right.

“Now I’m happy. Things are going really well.”

Young became the first golfer since Karl Wallbank in 1995 to defend the Mitsushiba Northern Order of Merit and, for the second successive year, he had plenty to spare as he left the chasing pack trailing in his wake.

“It was hard winning it first time around, and it’s been difficult again,” he said. “There’s a lot of very good golfers out there looking to win this title.”

Young now turns his attention to the county scene, as he looks to help Lancashire to victory at the English County Finals at Notts Golf Club on September 26-28.