KIDDERMINSTER professional Pat Smith and amateur partner Nathan Bailey jet out to the Algarve on Wednesday in a bid to win the Lombard Trophy, Europe's biggest pro-am competition.

The Worcestershire pair won their place at the grand final by winning the regional event at Little Aston Golf Club in May.

The duo carded a seven-under-par 65 to dislodge the Redditch pairing of professional David Down and 15-handicapper Mick O'Donnell by one shot.

Bailey, playing off 17, contributed three successive birdies from the 12th hole, one becoming a nett eagle because of his handicap.

Smith and sales manager Bailey will join 15 other regional qualifiers from across Great Britain and Ireland in the 36-hole final at the Ocean Course at Vale do Lobo next Friday and Saturday.

The winning professional picks up £10,000 from a prize fund of around £80,000.