The poser he faced was whether to take up an invitation to play in today's Russian Open on the European Tour, also in Moscow, which came via his Russian Amateur win or jet home and bid for a historic double in the English Amateur which begins at Woodhall Spa on Monday.

The Hornsea left-hander, 24, plumped for a European Tour debut. He had still not withdrawn from the English Amateur by Tuesday, it was reported from English Golf Union headquarters, but was likely to do so.

He could delay that move and should he miss the cut in Moscow tomorrow night he could still get back to make his noon start at Woodhall Spa.
It would be Uzzell's last chance at the premier English title, for it is just a matter of time before he turns professional.

He was close to making the move after his strong performance at the European Tour qualifying school last November, putting that on the back burner when he gained election to England's elite squad which provides funding.

Before going into the Moscow Open, Uzzell, who goes out near the end of a field which includes former Open champion John Daly, said: "I also contemplated turning pro at the end of last month then so many good things turned up but it's something that is uppermost in my mind.

"I had difficulties in finding accommodation in Moscow for a few more days. The situation was added to by problems of finding people who spoke English."

Uzzell, drawn in a group with Dorset's Shaun Webster and Danish Challenge Tour player Juul Soren, joins fellow Yorkshire players Iain Pyman, Ben Mason, Simon Hurd, Danny Willett and Gareth Davies in the Moscow Open where Pyman has won the title twice, in 1999 and 2002.

Uzzell, who has come on by leaps and bounds with coaching from Yorkshire's Graham Walker, left the field in his wake with a wire to wire win in the Russian Amateur with rounds of 67 69 71 73 for an eight under par total, finishing 10 shots clear of compatriot Jamie Abbott and becoming the third successive English winner of the title.

Open Championship silver medal winner Chris Wood, fifth at Royal Birkdale, starts as the favourite in the English Amateur in which a field of 288 will be cut to 64 and ties for the match-play after 36 holes of stroke-play qualifying on Monday and Tuesday.

Yorkshire players bidding for the title include Nick McCarthy (Moortown), Adam Sagar (Keighley), Michael Henson (Bedale), Luke Searle (Romanby), Danny Rowley (Shipley), David Booth (Rotherham), Wheatley pair Steve Brennan and Aaran Hodkin, Adam Best (Cleveland) and Dale Smith (Saltburn).

Some leading Yorkshire players miss the event, among them Leeds Amateur champion Marcus Armitage (Howley Hall), who has talked to the PGA about turning professional.

Meanwhile, Moortown hosts the 72–hole Glenmuir PGA Professional Championship over four days, starting on Tuesday, which will decide the top club pro in Britain and Ireland and is the sole qualifying route for players chasing selection to the 10–man PGA Cup team to meet the United States at Carrick–on–Loch–Lomond next year.

Finally, champion Jodi Ewart, from Catterick, carded five birdies in a two under par 70 that left her a shot off the lead after the first round of English Womens stroke-play championship at The Berkshire.
Leading scores: 69 – Holly Aitchison (Bedfordshire), Florentyna Parker (Royal Birkdale). 70 – Sian Evans (Faversham), Jodi Ewart (Catterick), Hannah Barwood (Knowle). 71 – Naomi Edwards (Ganton), Liz Bennett (Brokenhurst Manor), Tracey Boyes (Meon Valley). Also: 74 – Emma Brown (Malton & Norton).

Ends