Daniel Augustus picked up a cheque for $1,475 after a top-ten finish in the 39th New England Open Championship in Belmont, Massachusetts, yesterday.

The Bermudian professional carded his third straight 72 to finish the 54-hole tournament with a three-over par 216 to tie for ninth with Chris Wellde of Maryland.

Augustus shot birdies on 3, 8, 11 and 13 and bogeys on 4, 6, 7, 14 and 15. He moved up four places from his overnight position of thirteenth as he finished 12 strokes behind tournament winner Jesse Larson, of Vermont, who pocketed a winning cheque of $9,000, winning by one stroke over Mike Van Sickle, of Pennsylvania, and Cameron Wilson, of Connecticut, who tied for second and picked up cheques for $4,350 each.

Augustus finished ahead of the low New England PGA professionals, Dan Venezio and Boomer Erick who both scored four-over 217.

Venezio is the head professional at Myopia Hunt Club, and Erick the head professional at Boston Golf Club.

The low amateur in the tournament was Mike Martel with a six-over 219, the only amateur to make the cut.

Martel had the lowest score on the front nine on the final round, shooting an impressive five-under 31. He also tied the mark for third most birdies in the tournament with 12, and had the second best par 3 scoring average for the tournament behind New England Open Champion Jesse Larson.

A total of 41 players competed in the final round after the cut was set at seven-over par at the end of round two.