Eighteen-year-old Pearl, a left-hander from Stoke-by-Nayland, sank a 12-foot putt to beat Paul Barnard of Ipswich, who was already in the clubhouse on 142.

"I didn't have a clue that sinking the putt would give me the title," said Pearl. "But I had three-putted the 17th so I had to do something on the last."

Pearl, who shortly completes his BTech sports diploma course at Stoke's Sports Academy, started off his morning round badly.

"I was two down after the fifth, but managed to get back to level after the seventh and eighth," he said.

His morning 70 made him one of just five players to shoot par on one of their two rounds.

The Woodbridge course has recently been improved, and Pearl said the greens were very fast. Despite showers during his afternoon round, he returned a one-over 71.

Pearl was joint leader with John Maddock of Gorleston after the morning, and he stayed focused while other contenders were hitting problems. Maddock fell away with an afternoon 76.

Barnard, trailing by two after his morning round, returned level par in the afternoon, playing ahead of Pearl. Third place went to Sam Forgan of Stowmarket with 143 (71, 72).

Stoke-by-Nayland's Michael Swan, the pre-tournament favourite, came to grief in the morning on the third hole, his 12th.

His tee shot ended near the second tee, and instead of chipping back on to the fairway, he went for glory, found the gorse, and ended with a nine. He finished on 152 (77, 75).

A morning round of 79 sank Stoke's Scott Brace, who finished on 150 after an afternoon 71. Brother Liam, handily placed after a first round 73, fell away with an afternoon 78 to finish on 151.

Pearl, who intends to stay as an amateur for the next few years, has his sights set on the pro tour.

After leaving the Sports Academy he intends to "get a night job so I can practice and play during the day. It will be hectic, but that's what I want to do."

This weekend he will be back in action in the President's Mashie at Woodbridge. "I'm hoping to do the double," he said.

As amateur champion he will represent Suffolk at the county champions' tournament at Woodhall Spa on September 20.