RICHARD TALBOYS has become an award-winning PGA golf professional – after giving up his 15-year career in the financial industry.

Talboys, 38, an assistant based at Burford Golf Club, has finished top of his second-year peers on the PGA Foundation Degree course.

Talboys was recognised for his achievements at the annual PGA Graduation ceremony at the University of Birmingham where he collected the Lord Derby trophy and a cheque for £1,000 from Titleist brand director Matthew Johnson and Beverly Lewis, the first female captain of the PGA, who was the guest of honour.

Talboys said: “I have been playing golf since I was 13 but I gave up two or three times, the last time I gave up it was for eight years.

“I got back playing again and having worked in finance for 15 years, which I didn’t really enjoy, I finally decided to do something I wanted to do.

“I eventually moved to Burford to work with Michael Ridge and he’s been fantastically supportive. I don’t think I could have a better boss."