Newly-crowned World Bowls Champion of Champions Sam Tolchard says he almost did not take part in the event.
The English men’s singles champion beat Malaysia’s Dzulkeple Makaysia 3-2 in a dramatic tie-breaker to win his first major international bowls title.
“Four or five weeks ago I didn’t really know if I was going to come,” the Devon-based electrician said after his victory in New Zealand.
“I hadn’t booked a flight and I left it very last minute,” he told BBC Sport.
“I finally booked a flight and had a go, but…