* Click here to sign up to free news and sport email alerts from Garforth Today.

The former Yorkshire amateur star, who played on the EPD Tour on the continent last year and this season has made limited starts on the PGA Europro Tour, shot a first-round 67 in tough winds.

* Click here to make Garforth Today your friend on Facebook.

He then tagged on a 70 to triumph by eight shots from fellow professional Stephen Pullan in his first outing since losing a play-off for the Polish Open almost two months ago.

"I've been struggling since damaging a disc so to put two solid rounds together was great," said Jackson, who gave up rugby league – he was a member of Castleford's academy – to concentrate on golf.

Though he dropped shots at two holes, Jackson created more chances than the three birdies he made to go with an eagle at the par-five eighth where he chipped in.

Jackson, whose win earned him £500, was grateful for the save he made at the 439-yard 15th.

He said: "It was a big hole for me. I was in the trees off the tee and had to punch out then got up and down from 70 yards."

He birdied 16, missed a chance at the famous short 17th and made par at the last to lead by three at the halfway stage.

He didn't hit it as close on the second circuit but made a couple of birdies and kept on track with some sharp chipping and putting.

Richard Law, the Yorkshire county champion from Low Laithes, took the leading amateur prize on a countback with Headingley's Lewis Cooper and Pontefract's Simon Coumbe after they tied third, nine shots off the pace.

Jackson, who keeps his game honed at Garforth Driving Range where he is given courtesy usage, finds it far from easy to pay his way on tour.

He gained an invite to the Polish Open after finishing fourth in the event last year but it was only sponsorship by pal Shaun Best, a member at Garforth, that enabled him to make it.

He eagled the 72nd hole to go into a play-off with Peter Brosnan, an American who coaches the Polish national squad and dominates Polish PGA events.

Both birdied the first play-off hole then Brosnan birdied the second to win, leaving Jackson with the runners-up prize of 3,000 euros.