Brabazon Trophy – 2021 Preview & Results

22nd August 2021

Left hander Sam BAIRSTOW (ENG) from the Hallowes G.C. in Dronfield, south of Sheffield, won the 2021 Brabazon Trophy at Ganton G.C. with a 273 (-11) total.

The biggest win of his amateur career was built on consistency. His four under par rounds included 18 birdies and just seven bogeys over the 72 holes.

Talking to England Golf afterwards he said “It means a lot. I’ve been feeling like a win has been coming this year. To do it in my last big event feels really good. It’s very special – especially in Yorkshire. I had a lot of people out there supporting me which was nice.”

Bairstow’s victory lifted him to 32nd in the updated Scratch Players World Amateur Ranking.

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Sam Bairstow’s 72 Hole Scores (Graphic: England Golf / Golf Genius Scoring)

Zach CHEGWIDDEN (ENG) kept Bairstow honest with a best of the week 64 in the final round which included seven unblemished birdies.

Having won the Berkshire Trophy back in June the Essex man secured The Philip Scruton Jug, awarded to the player returning the best aggregate scores in The Brabazon Trophy and The Berkshire Trophy, with ease.

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Zach Chegwidden’s Round 4 Scores (Graphic: England Golf / Golf Genius Scoring)

The Final Round commenced at 8.00am after a 30 minute delay due to heavy overnight rain.

At the close of play only 10 players were able to finish the Championship with under par scores.

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Leading Brabazon Trophy Results (Graphic: England Golf / Golf Genius Scoring)

Frank KENNEDY (ENG) and Josh HILL (ENG), who both finished on 285 (+1), shared The George Henriques Salver awarded to the leading GB&I player(s) in the Championship under the age of 20.

Click here to view the full – 2021 Brabazon Trophy Results

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21st August 2021

Sam BAIRSTOW (ENG) will take a 5-shot lead into the fourth round of the Brabazon Trophy after a 69 on Saturday afternoon. For the third day running the Yorkshire player recorded five birdies in his round and now looks down on the field with a 204 (-9) total.

Joshua BRISTOW (ENG) is his nearest challenger on -4 after a 69 in Round 3. It was the Kent player’s steadiest round of the Championship with three birdies offset by a single bogey on the 6th.

Charlie THORNTON (ENG), another local player with some experience of the course, moved up to 3rd place on -3 after a 66, the lowest round of the day.

Arron EDWARDS-HILL (ENG), Sam POTTER (ENG) and Zach CHEGWIDDEN (ENG) are all tied 4th on 211 (-2). Edwards-Hill shot a 67 which included 6 straight birdies on the 9th to 14th holes whilst Potter, who leads The George Henriques Salver Under 20 competition, followed him up the leaderboard with a 67.

At the end of 54 holes there were just eight players left under par at Ganton.

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Leading Brabazon Trophy Round 3 Scores (Graphic: England Golf / Golf Genius Scoring)

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20th August 2021

Sam BAIRSTOW (ENG) moved into a 2-shot lead after a second round 69. Two late bogeys means his lead could have been even bigger but I am sure he is pleased with his position at the halfway stage.

Harvey BYERS (ENG) -5 and Zach CHEGWIDDEN (ENG) -4 lead the chasing pack after posting a 69 and 71 respectively.

James HYDES (NZL), who won last week’s Welsh Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship, bounced back impressively from his first round 79 with a 67 to comfortably make the cut on +4. Callum BRUCE (SCO) also shot a 67  to haul himself up the leaderboard after a disappointing 77 on Thursday. He’ll start the third round in 21st place on +2.

At the end of Friday, which proved to be a tougher scoring day, just nine players remained under par.

64 players ultimately made the top 60 and ties 36 hole cut which fell at +6. They can all now look forward to another two rounds at Ganton over the weekend.

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Leading Brabazon Trophy Round 2 Scores (Graphic: England Golf / Golf Genius Scoring)

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19th August 2021

Matt ROBERTS (WAL) made a great start at Ganton recording eight birdies in his opening round of 65 -6.

Local player Sam BAIRSTOW (ENG) is one shot further back after he produced a bogey free 66 -5.

Zach CHEGWIDDEN (ENG), winner of the Berkshire Trophy earlier his summer, is 3rd after a roller-coaster 67 -4 which saw him offset eight birdies with four bogeys.

At the end of the day just 14 of the 132 players broke par around the difficult Yorkshire course.

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Leading Brabazon Trophy Round 1 Scores (Graphic: England Golf / Golf Genius Scoring)

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15th August 2021

The 75th English Men’s Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship for the Brabazon Trophy will be played at Ganton Golf Club between Thursday 19th and Sunday 22nd August.

Format

The competition consists of 72 holes of stroke play golf with 18 holes being played each day.

A 36 hole cut will take place with only the leading 60 competitors and ties progressing to the two remaining rounds.

In the event of a tie for the Championship there will be a sudden death play off.

Field

A final field of 132 has been set for the 2021 Championship.

The majority of the field are exempt with starting places offered to a number of national golf federations and to those players who have performed well in other recent Championships.

The leading players, all from England, are Callan BARROW, Sam BAIRSTOW, Jack BROOKS, Jack DYER, Arron EDWARDS-HILL, John GOUGH, Olly HUGGINS, Haider HUSSAIN and Laird SHEPHERD.

The continuing impact on travel of the COVID-19 pandemic means only a handful of overseas entries are competing. The commencement of the US college academic year and the playing of the Jacques Léglise Trophy next week in Sweden have also damaged the field. The latter means that Jack BIGHAM, winner of The R&A Boys’ Amateur last weekend, and Harley SMITH, winner of the U16 McGregor Trophy and U18 Carris Trophy will sadly both be missing.

Three regional qualifying tournaments have been staged in recent weeks to determine the remainder of the field.

Southern – Brokenhurst Manor G.C. on 3rd August
Medalist – Riccardo Fantinelli (ITA) 63 -7
Qualifiers (24)- Riccardo Fantinelli, Tom Stagg, Reis Suart, Craig Passmore, Ollie Brimfield, James Ellis, Luke Spooner, Max Shirvell, Harry Uzzell, Connor O’Brien, Finlay Szafnauer, Ryan Greenwood, George Johnson, William Green, Ben Quick, Andrew Issacs, Charlie Salter, Lewis Beer, Jacob Kelso, Harvey Byers, Jay Scott, Joseph McDonagh-Brown, Kipp Popert and Rocky Chapman

Midland – Spalding G.C. on 10th August
Medalist – Sam Potter (ENG) 67 -5
Qualifiers (19) – Sam Potter, Hugo Kedzlie, Joel Smith, Andres Acevedo, Ross Macintosh, Sam Hessian, Jordan Boulton, Stuart Easton, Lewis Phillips, Harry Glenn, Max Hayward, Daniel McEvoy, Joshua Austin-Tierney, Harry Coe, Jack Remblance, Alex Ford, Louis Sanders, Jack Diment and Shaun Marshall 

Northern – The Oaks GC on 12th August
Medalist – Harry Lord (ENG) 64 -8
Qualifiers (30) – Harry Lord, Thomas Harbord, Andrew Benson, Jamie Roberts, Ryan Tatton, Harry Lee, James Swash, Callum Bruce, George Mason, Dominic Barron Holden, Jack Lampkin, Jamie Gregory, Thomas Pyman, Charlie Daughtrey, Ben Brookes, Max Berrisford, Tom Etridge, Ryan Owen, Andrew Ni, Max Baxendale, Oliver White, Jack McPhail, Tom Hughes, Ben Rhodes, James Stewart, James Holland, Fred Tisdale, Nick Raybould, Will Wilkinson and George Ash

Click here and use the three filters to view the full – Qualifying Results

Tee Times

Click here to view the – 2021 Brabazon Trophy Tee Times

Play will be starting at 7.00am on the opening two days with the final tee time being 2.40pm.

Prizes

The Winner receives the magnificent gold Brabazon Trophy shown in the photo below.

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The Champion’s Prize and Brabazon Trophy (Photo: Golf Bible)

Prize vouchers will be awarded to those players finishing in the top five.

Two other prizes are connected to the Brabazon Trophy competition.

The George Henriques Salver is awarded to the leading GB&I player in the Championship under the age of 20.

The Philip Scruton Jug is awarded to the player returning the best aggregate scores in The Brabazon Trophy and The Berkshire Trophy.

Ganton Golf Club

Ganton G.C. is located in the Vale of Pickering in Yorkshire, 10 miles inland from Scarborough.

The Club was founded in 1891 and Harry Vardon, Ted Ray, James Braid, JH Taylor, Harry Colt and Alistair Mackenzie all had a hand in the development of the course in the early 1900’s.

The Championship course is well known for it’s deep bunkers, gorse and fir trees and plays to 7,016 yards and a challenging par of 71.

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Ganton G.C. Scorecard (Photo: Ganton G.C.)

The course has hosted the Ryder Cup (1949), the Amateur Championship (1964, 1977, 1991), the Curtis Cup (2000) and the Walker Cup (2003) in its illustrious history.

Weather Forecast

The weather is looking largely dry at the moment, albeit with little sun, with fresh breezes picking up throughout the week.

Thur 19th Aug – Light Cloud / Wind 8 mph W / Temp. Min. 13°C, Max. 18°C.
Fri 20th Aug – Light Cloud / Wind 10 mph SE / Temp. Min. 14°C, Max. 18°C.
Sat 21st Aug – Light Cloud / Wind 14 mph SE / Temp. Min. 15°C / Min 19°C.
Sun 22nd Aug – Light Rain Showers / Wind 17 mph E / Temp. Min. 14°C / Max. 19°C.

2020 Brabazon Trophy

David RAVETTO (FRA) won the 2020 Brabazon Trophy at Sherwood Forest G.C.

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David Ravetto (Photo: Leaderboard Photography / FFGolf)

Ravetto secured the title on the second sudden death play-off hole (the 2nd) with a birdie after he and Christoffer BRING (DEN) and Mark POWER (IRL) couldn’t be separated after 72 holes. Power fell out of the play-off on the 1st extra hole after he could only par it – Bring and Ravetto both birdied.

English pair Barclay BROWN and Jack DYER -8 finished tied for 4th with compatriots Enrique DIMAYUGA and Sam BAIRSTOW one shot further back in tied 6th.

Barclay Brown won The George Henriques Salver, awarded to the leading GB&I player under the age of 20.

Northern Ireland’s Tom MCKIBBIN -6 finished 8th after a consistent tournament, Joe LONG -5 9th delivered another strong result and Jack COPE -4 backed up his English Amateur victory with a tied 10th place alongside Josh BRISTOW from Kent.

Here are the leading scores from 2020: –

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Leading Results (Photo: England Golf / Golf Genius Scoring)

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Recent Results

Click here to view the full: –

Sherwood Forest – 2020 Brabazon Trophy Results

Alwoodley – 2019 Brabazon Trophy Results

Frilford Heath – 2018 Brabazon Trophy Results

Woodhall Spa – 2017 Brabazon Trophy Results

London G.C. – 2016 Brabazon Trophy Results

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History, Past Winners and Records

The English Amateur International Trophy competition was first played in 1947.

In 1957 the official title was changed to the English Men’s Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship.

The current trophy was donated by Lord Brabazon of Tara in 1948 and the event has come to be widely known as the Brabazon Trophy.

Click here to view the full list of – Brabazon Trophy Past Winners

The first player to successfully defend the title was Ronnie WHITE who won at Birkdale in 1950 and nearby Formby in 1951.

Shortly afterwards Philip SCRUTTON won the Brabazon three times in four years (1952, ‘54 & ‘55).

Sir Michael BONALLACK has four wins to his name. The first came at Royal Cinque Ports in 1964 and the last at Hillside in 1971. At Moortown in 1969, with play-offs having been discarded at this time, he shared the title with Rodney FOSTER.

Other well known British winners of the Brabazon include Gordon Brand Jnr, Sandy Lyle (2), Peter MCEVOY, Ronan Rafferty and Ronnie SHADE(3).

Other notable recent winners include well known pros Ignacio GARRIDO (1992), Peter HANSON (1998) and Charl SCHWARTZEL (2002).

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Copyright © 2014-2021, Mark Eley. All rights reserved.

U.S. Amateur Championship – 2021 Preview & Results

Sunday 15th August 2021

Match Play – Final

James PIOT (USA) won the 121st U.S. Amateur Championship after a thrilling comeback against Austin GREASER (USA) over the final nine holes of the 36-hole Final.

22 year old Piot is a 5th Year Senior at Michigan State University and with his victory became the first player to come from that state to win the Havemeyer Trophy.

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James Piot (Photo: USGA / Chris Keane)

Greaser, 20 and a Junior at the University of North Carolina, went into the final back nine with a 3UP lead and with one hand on the famous gold trophy. However, by the time he got to the 14th tee he was 1Down, Piot having won four consecutive holes with two birdies and two pars. As he said in his post match interview “I just made some mistakes there on 11, 12, 13, just bogey, bogey, bogey. That’s never going to look good on the scorecard. I just didn’t execute coming down the stretch.”

When Piot extended his lead to 2Up with a par on the 502 yard par 4 15th the writing was on the wall. After two halves with pars on 16 and 17 the win had been secured.

Piot was jubilant. “It’s the greatest feeling in the world. I mean, as an amateur it’s the best thing you can do. After making that putt on 17, I was just like, oh, my God. I might’ve done it. It feels phenomenal, shows the hard work I’ve done is paying off.”

Both finalists had already earned exemptions into the 2022 U.S. Open Championship and Masters Tournament. Piot can now also look forward to a trip to the home of golf for the 2022 Open Championship.

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Match Play Final Results (Graphic: USGA)

Click here to view the – 2021 US Amateur MP Scores

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Saturday 14th August 2021

Match Play – Semi-Finals

Austin GREASER (USA), 20, beat Travis VICK (USA), 21, by 2&1 in the opening Semi-Final. Greaser, who reached the Semi-Finals of the Western Amateur earlier his month, won fours consecutive holes from the 11th to move 3Up and set up victory over the highest seeded qualifier left in the field.

James PIOT (USA), 22, beat Nick GABRELCIK (USA), 19, by 4&3. Similar to the other Semi-Final Piot’s win was founded on three straight hole wins between the 9th and 11th. Gabrelcik was the highest ranked WAGR player left in the filed whilst Piot held that honour in the SPWAR.

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Match Play Semi-Final Results (Graphic: USGA)

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Friday 13th August 2021

Match Play – Quarter Finals

The Quarter Finals started in the afternoon and were completed in the early evening bringing the Championship back on schedule.

Here are the current SPWAR and WAGR amateur rankings of the four semi-finalists: –
Austin GREASER (USA) – #60 / #82
Travis VICK (USA) – #35 / #45
James PIOT (USA) – #7 / #86
Nick GABRELCIK (USA) – #21 / #28

All four have earned exemptions into the 2022 U.S. Amateur Championship at Ridgewood C.C. in Paramus, New Jersey by getting this far.

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Match Play Quarter Final Results (Graphic: USGA)

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Match Play – Round of 16

Ricky CASTILLO (USA), who was unbeaten in this year’s Walker Cup, was a surprise casualty in this round.

Here are the full Round of 16 results: –

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Match Play Round of 16 Results (Graphic: USGA)

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Match Play – Round of 32

The remaining Round of 32 matches were quickly completed on Friday morning.

Sadly Alex FITZPATRICK (ENG) lost his match to Davis CHATFIELD (USA) by 1 Hole thus ending GB&I’s interest in this year’s Championship.

Here are the full Round of 32 results: –

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Match Play Round of 32 Results (Graphic: USGA)

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Thursday 12th August 2021

Match Play – Round of 32

The fourth weather delay over the last three days saw play ended on Thursday evening at 6.35pm (11.35pm BST). Again it was rain and thunderstorms in the Oakmont area that saw the time lost move past the 10 hours mark. The previous delays saw the USGA, for the first time during the Match Play Stage, implement a two tee start for the Round of 32.

Just four of the 16 Round of 32 matches were completed before this latest suspension with Alex FITZPATRICK (ENG) 1Down against 22nd seed Davis CHATFIELD (USA) after 13 holes.

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Match Play – Round of 64

The ‘curse of the medalist’ struck Mark GOETZ (USA) as he lost by 1 Hole to David NYFJALL (SWE), who having come through the 12-for-1 play-off is gaining confidence. Nyfjall was 3Down with four holes to play before winning them all with three pars and a closing birdie.

From a home perspective it was good to see Alex FITZPATRICK (ENG) come through his match against 54th seed Chase SIENKIEWICZ (USA). Alex, who was 2Down after six holes, was 5-under par for the 16 holes he ultimately required to secure a 3&2 victory.

Here are the full Round of 64 results: –

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Match Play Round of 64 Results (Graphic: USGA)

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Wednesday 11th August 2021

Match Play – Round of 64

The start of the Match Play Stage, being played exclusively at Oakmont C.C., was delayed due to further afternoon thunderstorms and another four hour suspension.

By the close of play just one match had been completed, 17 others were on the course and 14 had been deferred until tomorrow morning.

Ricky CASTILLO (USA) beat Donald KAY (USA) by 5&4 in the only match to be completed.

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Stroke Play Qualifying

The second round of the Stroke Play Qualifying recommenced at 7.30am (12.30pm BST) this morning.

Medalist honours were eventually secured by Mark GOETZ (USA) who turned 23 yesterday and grew up about 30 miles away from Oakmont. His rounds of 64 and 68 at Longue View and Oakmont respectively gave him a 132 -8 total, the joint second lowest in the history of the Championship.

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Mark Goetz (Photo: USGA)

A 12-for-1 play-off at Oakmont C.C. saw David NYFJALL (SWE) become the 64th and final player to progress to the Match Play Stage. The 12 players involved in the shoot out all finished on 143 (+3) with Nyfjall’s 8 foot birdie putt on the third extra hole, the 18th, proving decisive.

The average Round 2 score at Oakmont was 74.97, just over two shots easier than Round 1’s 77.16 after yesterday’s rain had softened up the course and greens. Surprisingly nearby Longue View played slightly harder at 71.97 v. Round 1’s 71.69.

Here are the leading scores in the Stroke Play Qualifying: –

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Stroke Play Qualifying Results (Graphic: USGA)

Alex FITZPATRICK (ENG) was the only GB&I player to qualify for the Match Play Stage again confirming his status as our No. 1 amateur. He enters the Match Play as the 11th seed.

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GB&I Stroke Play Qualifying Results (Graphic: USGA)

Click here to view the – 2021 US Amateur SP Qualifying Results

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Tuesday 10th August 2021

Stroke Play Qualifying

Round 2 of the Stroke Play Qualifying started at Oakmont Country Club and Longue Vue Club in Pennsylvania at 7.30am (12.30 pm BST) on Tuesday. However, a four hour delay during the afternoon meant that 156 players were unable to complete their second rounds.

With the top 64 cut expected to fall at +3 or +4 Alex FITZPATRICK (ENG) still looks very well placed to qualify with 7 holes to play at Oakmont. Sadly it now seems inevitable that he will be GB&I’s only representative in the second stage.

Here is the GB&I scoreboard on Tuesday evening when play was suspended at 8.00pm (1.00am BST).

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GB&I Round 1 and 2 Scores (Graphic: USGA)

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Monday 9th August 2021

Stroke Play Qualifying

As expected there proved to be a material divergence between the scoring at Oakmont Country Club and Longue Vue Club, the two courses hosting the Stroke Play Qualifying. The average score at Oakmont in Round 1 was 77.16 compared with 71.69 at Longue View; the former playing 5.47 shots harder than its co-host 6 miles away.

Of the 82 players who finished Round 1 in the top 64 or tied for 64th just seven played Oakmont. Cole SHERWOOD (USA) 69 -1 and Parker COODY (USA) 70 Ev were the only two players to shoot par or better at Oakmont out of the 156 to take it on.

It should be noted conditions were also near perfect; temperatures in the high 80’s with very little wind.

Alex FITZPATRICK (ENG) -6 made a great start to proceedings with a 64 at Longue View. The leader, Jacob BRIDGEMAN (USA) is just one shot better than him after he opened with a course record equalling 63 -7. Whilst nothing can be taken for granted around Oakmont Alex looks well set to progress to the Match Play stage after tomorrow’s round.

Conor GOUGH (ENG) shot a 74 +4 around Longue View and was lying tied 140th. However, he withdrew after his round. I assume this was injury related but may as well have been because there was never going to be away back from that with Oakmont still to come.

Dev MORLEY (IRL) +5, tied 168th, and Joe PAGDIN (ENG) +6, tied 188th, battled hard for their scores at Oakmont in Round 1. Whilst they will need to produce an under par round tomorrow at Longue View they still have a chance to make the top 64 cut.

Enrique DIMAYUGA (ENG) +8 also plays Longue View tomorrow but looks as if he has left himself too much to do after his 78 today.

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GB&I Round 1 Scores and Round 2 Tee Times (Graphic: USGA)

Joe HIGHSMITH (USA) and Mark GOETZ (USA) are tied with Fitzpatrick on -6 with Michael THORBJORNSEN (USA), recent winner of the Western Amateur, well placed on -5 alongside Caleb SURRATT (USA), Brian MA (USA) and Brad REEVES (USA).

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8th August 2021

Introduction

This year’s Championship is being played at Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont and Longue Vue Club in Verona, both of which are located in western Pennsylvania.

Administered by the United States Golf Association (USGA) the U.S. Amateur is the most important and prestigious competition in the amateur golf calendar.

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2021 Field

The U.S. Amateur Championship is open to amateur golfers with a Handicap Index not exceeding 2.4.

7,811 entries, all paying the $175 entry fee, were received by the USGA this year.

The final field is made up of 312 players who were either exempt or who qualified. The average age is 23.41 with the youngest player being Reed Greyserman (16) and the oldest Bob Royok (59).

57 players were exempt based on their performances in previous amateur championships, selection for the Walker Cup or top 50 ranking in the WAGR.

The remainder of the field qualified by playing in one of 94 36 hole events staged by the USGA at venues across the USA (91), Canada (1), Mexico (1) and Puerto Rico (1). Click here to view all of the – Qualifier Results.

The early scheduling of the Walker Cup, which saw a number of our leading players turn pro earlier in the summer, and the COVID-19 travel restrictions mean that only five GB&I players are in the 2021 field. They are: –

Enrique DIMAYUGA (ENG) – Qualifier: Lago Mar CC, Florida (Medalist)
Alex FITZPATRICK (ENG) – Exemption: GB&I Walker Cup Team 2019 & 2021 / WAGR #4 on 23rd June 2021
Conor GOUGH (ENG) – Exemption: GB&I Walker Cup Team 2019
Dev MORLEY (IRL) – Qualifier: Clustered Spires GC, Maryland (Medalist)
Joe PAGDIN (ENG) – Exemption: Special USGA; GB&I Walker Cup Team 2021 Reserve

To put this into context there were 11 GB&I players at Bandon Dunes last year, 11 at Pinehurst in 2019, 7 at Pebble Beach in 2018, 9 at Riviera in 2017 and 11 at Oakland Hills in 2016.

The following GB&I players chose not to or were unable to take up their exemptions: –

Barclay BROWN (ENG) – Exemption: GB&I Walker Cup Team 2021 / WAGR #41 on 23rd June 2021
Jack COPE (ENG) – Exemption: WAGR #20 on 23rd June 2021
Jack DYER (ENG) – Exemption: GB&I Walker Cup Team 2021
Mark POWER (IRL) – Exemption: GB&I Walker Cup Team 2021 / WAGR #32 on 23rd June 2021
Sandy SCOTT (SCO) – Exemption: GB&I Walker Cup Team 2019 / WAGR #7 on 23rd June 2021
Laird SHEPHERD (ENG) – Exemption: Amateur Champion 2021 / WAGR #49 on 4th August 2021

The English Men’s Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship for the Brabazon Trophy is being played at Ganton G.C. on 19-22 August 2021 which may prove to be an easier option.

The in form, highly ranked players, who I would expect to feature strongly at Oakmont are Ludvig ABERG (SWE), Ricky CASTILLO (USA), Pierceson COODY (USA), Louis DOBBELAAR (AUS), Nick GABRELCIK (USA), Ryan HALL (USA), Cole HAMMER (USA), Joe HIGHSMITH (USA), Bo JIN (CHN), Dylan MENANTE (USA), Maxwell MOLDOVAN (USA), Trent PHILLIPS (USA), James PIOT (USA), Luke POTTER (USA), David PUIG (ESP), Gordon SARGENT (USA) and Michael THORBJORNSEN (USA).

Format / Schedule

36-holes of stroke play will determine the top 64 match play qualifiers. Ties for the last qualifying place will be resolved by a sudden death play-off.

Six 18 hole match play rounds will then be played culminating in a 36-hole Championship Final. Extra holes will be played to resolve any halved games.

Monday 9th August – Stroke Play Round 1 (Oakmont and Longue Vue – 18 holes)
Tuesday 10th August – Stroke Play Round 2 (Oakmont and Longue Vue – 18 holes)
Wednesday 11th August – Match Play Round of 64 (Oakmont – 18 holes)
Thursday 12th August – Match Play Rounds of 32 and 16 (Oakmont- 18 holes)
Friday 13th August – Match Play Quarter Finals (Oakmont – 18 holes )
Saturday 14th August – Match Play Semi-Finals (Oakmont – 18 holes)
Sunday 15th August – Match Play Championship Final (Oakmont – 36 holes)

Tee Times

Click here to view the – 2021 U.S. Amateur Stroke Play Qualifying Tee Times

With Pennsylvania being 5 hours behind the UK play will start in our early afternoon and proceed through the evening.

Host Courses

Oakmont Country Club – stroke play and match play
7,254 yards (maximum), Par 70, Course Rating 76.7, Slope Rating 142
Opened in 1903
Designed by Henry Fownes and renovated by Tom Fazio in 2015.

The course was originally built on farmland adjacent to the Allegheny River Valley. Unusually for such a prestigious venue a major road, the Pennsylvania Turnpike which was constructed in the late 1940s, passes through the middle of the site. Two bridges link holes 1 and 8-18 and the clubhouse with holes 2-7.

Oakmont has the reputation of being one of the toughest courses in the United States. Over 175 bunkers and hard and fast greens which often slope away from the player provide a stern test.

Oakmont Country Club has hosted more major Championships than any other course in USA – 20. This will be its 17th USGA Championship – nine United States Opens (1927, 1935, 1953, 1962, 1973, 1983, 1994, 2007, 2016), five U.S. Amateurs (1919, 1925, 1938, 1969, 2003, 2021) and two U.S. Women’s Open (1992, 2010). It has also staged three U.S. PGA Championships (1922, 1951, 1978). Only Merion G.C. with 18 (19 after next year’s Curtis Cup), also in Pennsylvania, has hosted more USGA Championships.

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Longue Vue Club – stroke play co-host
6,647 yards (maximum), Par 70, Course Rating 73.3, Slope Rating 141
Opened in 1922
Deisgned by Robert White (SCO) and renovated by A.W. Tillinghast in 1935.

Longue Vue is perched on a hill above the Allegheny River and enjoys some spectacular views. Scottish architect Robert White was the first president of the PGA of America and also installed the first putting green on the White House Lawn.

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Weather Forecast

The weather forecast (as at 8th August) is predominantly a dry one although there is the risk of scattered thunderstorms throughout which may disrupt play.

Stroke Play Qualifying
Mon 9th August – Cloudy / Wind 7 mph S / Temp. Min. 22°C, Max. 34°C.
Tues 10th August – Cloudy / Wind 10 mph SSW / Temp. Min. 22°C, Max. 32°C.

Match Play Stage
Weds 11th August – Cloudy / Wind 9 mph SW  / Temp. Min. 22°C, Max. 32°C.
Thurs 12th August – Cloudy / Wind 9 mph SW  / Temp. Min. 21°C, Max. 32°C.
Fri 13th August – Cloudy / Wind 8 mph SW  / Temp. Min. 18°C, Max. 30°C.
Sat 14th August – Sunny / Wind 8 mph NW  / Temp. Min. 15°C, Max. 28°C.
Sun 15th August – Sunny / Wind 6 mph SW / Temp. Min. 16°C, Max. 29°C.

Prizes

The 2021 U.S. Amateur champion will receive the following: –

a) A gold medal and custody of the Havemeyer Trophy for the following year;
b) An exemption to play in the 2022 U.S. Open which is being staged at The Country Club, Brookline;

and assuming they remain amateur,
c) An exemption to play in the 2022 Open Championship at St. Andrews;
d) An invitation to play in the 2022 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club;
e) An exemption to play in the 2022 – 2031 U.S. Amateur Championships;

and unofficially

f) Various invitations to play in PGA Tour and European Tour events.

A Silver Medal is awarded to the runner-up and Bronze Medals to the two losing semi-finalists. A Bronze Medal is also awarded to the stroke play medalist(s).

The original silver Havemeyer Trophy was presented to the U.S.G.A. on March 1895 in honour of the Association’s first President Theodore A. Havemeyer. This was lost in a fire at Bobby Jones’ home club, East Lake, in 1925.

A new gold trophy was produced in 1926. This was retired in 1992 with a copy of the trophy being produced and passed from champion to champion ever since. Sadly the original gold trophy was stolen from the U.S.G.A. Museum in 2012 and has never been seen since.

Spectators / Television Coverage

No public tickets have been sold for the stroke play stage of the Championship with spectators only being allowed onto the grounds of Oakmont on Wednesday – Sunday’s match play games.

Some highlights of the stroke play will be shown on the USGA website and social media channels.

In the USA Peacock, Golf Channel and NBC will be covering the match play stage.

In the UK Sky Sports Golf normally take the U.S. television feed, via the Red Button, over the final match play weekend.

2020 U.S. Amateur Championship

Tyler STRAFACI (USA) won the 120th U.S. Amateur Championship at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort. He beat Charles ‘Ollie’ OSBORNE (USA) in the Final by 1 Hole.

2020 U.S. Amateur

Tyler Strafaci With The Havemayer Trophy (Photo: Steve Gibbons / USGA)

Sandy SCOTT (SCO) was the most successful GB&I entrant. He lost to Davis CHATFIELD (USA) by 2&1 in the Round of 32.

Angus FLANAGAN (ENG) and John GOUGH (ENG) both lost in the Round of 64 coming out on the wrong side of tight matches against McClure MEISSNER (USA) 2&1 and Segundo OLIVA PINTO (ARG) 19th hole respectively.

Wilson FURR (USA) 132 -11 secured medalist honours in the stroke play qualifying after posting a course record 62 (-9) on the Bandon Trails course on Day 2. His 62 was the joint second lowest score in U.S. Amateur history.

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Wilson Furr (Photo: Steve Gibbons / USGA)

Just three of the eleven GB&I players made it through to the match play stage of the Championship. John GOUGH (ENG) -2 finished tied 23rd, Sandy SCOTT (SCO) Ev tied 36th and Angus FLANAGAN (ENG) +1 tied 48th.

The match play cut came at 145 (+2) with 18 players finishing on this score in tied 62nd place. An 18-for-3 spots play-off was therefore required to finalise the match play field.

Here is a summary of all of the GB&I stroke play qualifying results in 2020: –

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GB&I Stroke Play 36 Hole Qualifying Scores (Photo: USGA)

Click here to view the full – 2020 U.S. Amateur Championship Results

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U.S. Amateur Championship History

The U.S. Amateur is the oldest golf championship in America and 2021 see its 121st playing.

It was first played in 1895, the winner being Charles B. Macdonald.

It has always been decided by match play save for an 8 year period between 1965 and 1972 when the winner was determined solely by stroke play.

Former U.S. winners include Walter Travis (1900-01-03), Jerome Travers (1907-08-12-13), Bobby Jones (1924-25-27-28-30), Francis Ouimet (1914-31), W. Lawson Little (1934-35) Arnold Palmer (1954), Jack Nicklaus (1959-61), Deane Beman (1960-63), Lanny Wadkins (1970), Craig Stadler (1973), Mark O’Meara (1979), Hal Sutton (1980), Phil Mickelson (1990), Justin Leonard (1992), Tiger Woods (1994-95-96), Matt Kucher (1997), Ryan Moore (2004) and Bryson DeChambeau (2015).

British players have won the Championship on six occasions but just twice in the last 100 years – H.J. Whigham (1896-97), Findlay Douglas (1898), Harold Hilton (1911), Richie Ramsay (2006) and Matthew Fitzpatrick (2013).

Matthew Fitzpatrick (Photo: U.S.G.A.)

Italy’s Edoardo Molinari (2005) and Norway’s Viktor Hovland (2018) are the only player from the Continent of Europe to have lifted the Havemeyer Trophy.

Future U.S. Amateur Venues

15-21 August 2022 – Ridgewood Country Club, Paramus, New Jersey
14-20 August 2023 – Cherry Hills Country Club, Cherry Hills Village, Colorado
12-18 August 2024 – Hazeltine National Golf Club, Chaska, Minnesota
11-17 August 2025 – The Olympic Club, San Francisco, California
10-16 August 2026 – Merion Golf Club, Ardmore, Pennsylvania
09-15 August 2027 – Oak Hill Country Club, Pittsford, New York
11-17 August 2031 – Honors Course, Ooltewah, Tennessee
TBD August 2031 – Bandon Dunes, Oregon
TBD August 2041 – Bandon Dunes, Oregon

ME.

Copyright © 2014-2021, Mark Eley. All rights reserved.

June 2021 Men’s Amateur Rankings

2nd July 2021

Throughout the year I analyse the two main amateur golf rankings, the SPWAR and the WAGR, to help us assess the performances of Great Britain and Ireland’s (GB&I) leading players as well as the status of events they compete in.

This information is maintained on the Rankings page of the GolfBible website and is updated quarterly.

The latest update covering the June 2021 Quarter period has now been added.

England’s Laird SHEPHERD has won my Player of the Quarter Award. How could I not hand it to him after his memorable Amateur Championship win last month ?

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Laird Shepherd (Photo: The Nairn G.C.)

Pease click this link to be redirected to my Rankings page – GolfBible Rankings

ME.

Copyright © 2014-2021, Mark Eley. All rights reserved.

The Open Championship – 2021 Final & Regional Qualifying

18th July 2021

Matthias SCHMID (GER) won the low amateur silver medal at the 149th Open Championship played at Royal St. George’s G.C. in Kent, England.

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Matthias Schmid and Colin Morikawa (Photo: The R&A / The Open Championship) 

Schmid and Yuxin LIN (CHN) both made the cut but the German finished on +2 whilst Lin could only manage a +6 total.

All of the other amateurs missed the cut as can be seen in the amateur scoreboard summary below.

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Click here to view the – The Open Championship Final Scores

ME.

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29th June 2021

THE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

156 players will contest The 149th Open Championship at Royal St. George’s G.C. on 15-18 July 2021.

The following eight amateurs will be competing at this year’s Open: –

Exemptions
The Amateur Champions for 2020 and 2021 – Joe LONG (ENG) and Laird SHEPHERD (ENG)
The European Amateur Champions for 2020 and 2021 – Matthias SCHMID (GER) and Christoffer BRING (DEN)
The Mark McCormack Medal (WAGR) winners for 2019 and 2020 – Cole HAMMER (USA)
The Asia-Pacific Amateur Champion 2019 – Yuxin LIN (CHN)
The Latin America Amateur Champion 2020 – Abel GALLEGOS (ARG)

The U.S. Amateur Champions for 2019 and 2020, Andy OGLETREE (USA) and Tyler STRAFACI (USA), have both turned Pro thus foregoing their exemptions. 2020 McCormack Medal winner Takumi KANAYI (JAP) also turned Pro in September 2020 thus missing out on a visit to Kent.

Final Qualifying
Sam BAIRSTOW (ENG) was the only amateur to come through the Qualifying process.

Sam was exempted into Final Qualifying as one of the leading 10 WAGR ranked players as at Week 2021/21, not otherwise exempt. He then finished tied 2nd at St. Anne’s Old Links after rounds of 63 and 69 (-13) to secure one of the three places on offer at each venue.

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Sam Bairstow (centre) (Photo: Richard Martin-Roberts/R&A/R&A via Getty Images)

Low Amateur Silver Medal
My focus now moves onto the race amongst the above amateur players in the Championship itself for the low amateur Silver Medal.

For more information on this prize you may like to take a look at this article – ‘The Open Championship’s Silver Medal’.

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QUALIFYING

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic The R&A introduced a revised Qualifying format.

Most amateur golfers entered the competition at Regional Qualifying, although some were exempted in to Final Qualifying and a lucky handful the Championship itself.

This article follows all of the AMATEUR GOLFERS through The Open Championship 2021 Qualifying events. Information on the Final Qualifying events is at the top of the page with reports on the earlier Regional Qualifying competitions below that.

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FINAL QUALIFYING

The same four venues used for Regional Qualifying were used for Final Qualifying which took place on Tuesday 29th June with 36 holes of stroke play golf played by each competitor.

282 players, made up of Regional qualifiers and other exempt players, contested the four competitions. There were 79 amateurs competing; 62 came through Regional Qualifying with the other 17 being exempted into this stage.

All of the Regional qualifiers had the advantage of staying at the same course they played last weekend.

12 players, 3 from each event, were guaranteed places in The Open Championship through Final Qualifying. 

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Here are the four FINAL QUALIFYING events with all of the AMATEUR ENTRIES and their exemptions and results noted.

NOTTS G.C. (HOLLINWELL) – 7,250 yards, par 72

Tuesday 29th June

72 players / 16 amateurs / 3 qualifying places

Qualifiers
None

Non-Qualifiers
T4. Ben Rhodes (Headingley) [RQ Sat] 66, 71 -7
T10. Tom Gueant (France) [2019 Boys Amateur] 68, 73 -3
T20. Jack Sallis (Hollinwell) [RQ Sat] 71, 72 -1
T27. Kale Heath (Kings Lynn) [RQ Sun P/Off] 73, 72 +1
T39. Philip White (Burnham & Berrow) [RQ Sun P/Off] 72, 75 +3
T39. Olly Huggins (Frilford Heath) [WAGR] 73, 74 +3
T39. Josh Hill (Trump International Dubai) [RQ Sun] 74, 73 +3
T43. Jordan Boulton (Hollinwell) [RQ Sun] 74, 74 +4
T45. Thomas Pyman (The Oaks) [RQ Sat] 70, 79 +5
T45. Aadam Syed (Foxhills) [RQ Sun] 77, 72 +5
T45. Eliot Baker (Tiverton) [RQ Sun] 75, 74 +5
T49. Darren Coop (Hallowes) [RQ Sun] 75, 75 +6
T53. Greg Peters (Ingestre Park) [RQ Sat] 77, 74 +7
62. Alex Winn (Bristol & Clinton) [RQ Sun] 82, 78 +16
T65. Haider Hussain (The Kendleshire) [WAGR] RTD
T65. Charlie Thornton (Fulford) [RQ Sun] RTD

PRINCE’S G.C. (SHORE & DUNES) – 7,282 yards, par 72

Tuesday 29th June
72 players / 16 amateurs / 3 qualifying places

Qualifiers
None

Non-Qualifiers
T20. Oliver Lewis-Perkins (Mid-Kent) [RQ Sat P/off] 73, 75 +4
T20. Ben Quinney (Kings Hill) [RQ Sun] 75, 73 +4
T20. Joshua Bristow [WAGR] 75, 73 +4
T27. Jacob Kelso (Kings Hill) [RQ Sun] 76, 74 +6
T31. George Burns (Crail Golfing Society) [2019 Scottish Amateur] 76, 75 +7
T39. Brandon Meads (Brentwood) [RQ Sun] 78, 75 +9
T39. Shergo Al Kurdi (Jordan) [WAGR] 77, 76 +9
T44. Jack Dyer [2021 Walker Cup] 76, 78 +10
T44. Zach Chegwidden (Orsett) [RQ Sun] 75, 79 +10
47. Jamie Guppy (Littlestone) [RQ Sat] 77, 78 +11
T49. Benjamin Humphrey (Chelmsford) [RQ Sat P/Off] 76, 82 +14
T58. Nic Elliott (Tandridge) [RQ Sun] 80, 81 +17 
60. Jan Brugelmann (Germany) [RQ Sat] 83, 81 +20
T62. Daniel Roberts (The London) [RQ Sat] WD
T62. Alex Kephart (USA) [RQ Sun] RTD
T62. Nick Flynn (West Byfleet) [RQ Sat] RTD

ST. ANNES OLD LINKS – 6,907 yards, par 72

Tuesday 29th June
70 players / 19 amateurs / 3 qualifying places

Qualifiers
T2. Sam Bairstow (Hallowes) [WAGR] 63, 69 -13  

Non-Qualifiers
5. Stephen Roger (Peebles) [RQ Sat] 69, 66 -9
T6. Alex Fitzpatrick (Hallamshire) [2019 & 2021 Walker Cup] 65, 71 -8
T10. Rhys Nevin (Sandiway) [RQ Sun] 70, 67 -7
T10. Callan Barrow (Royal Lytham & St. Annes) [WAGR] 67, 70 -7 
T27. Joe Harvey (The Kendleshire) [2019 Amateur Runner-Up] 72, 70 -2
T31. Will Marshall (Heworth) [RQ Sun P/Off] 71, 72 -1
T35. Robbie Spence (Furness) [RQ Sun] 66, 78 Ev
T35. Thomas Ratcliffe (Southport & Ainsdale) [RQ Sun] 71, 73 Ev
T40. William McGhie (Lancaster) [RQ Sat] 74, 71 +1
T40. Mark Millhouse (Turton) [RQ Sat] 72, 73 +1
T43. Alex Dixon (City of Newcastle) [RQ Sat] 74, 72 +2
T47. Aiden Hoosen (Manchester) 71 -1 [RQ Sun P/Off] 73, 75 +4
T47. Daniel Thomas (Ilkley) [RQ Sat] 76, 72 T47
T56. Jack McPhail (Southport & Ainsdale) [RQ Sat] 75, 76 +7
T58. Jack Ainscough (The Wynyard) [RQ Sun] 76, 76 +8
60. Andrew Haswell (Ormskirk) [RQ Sun] 77, 76 +9
T61. Fraser McLeod (Hazel Grove) 71 -1 [RQ Sun P/Off] 75, 79 +10
T64. Jake Cope (The Players Club) [2020 English Amateur] NR NR
DNS Ross Clewley (Prestbury) [RQ Sat]
DNS Greg Holmes (Royal Birkdale) [RQ Sat]

WEST LANCASHIRE G.C. – 7,016 yards, par 72

Tuesday 29th June
68 players / 28 amateurs / 3 qualifying places

Qualifiers
None

Non-Qualifiers
T6. Archie Davies [2019 Welsh Amateur] 72, 69 -3
T11. Hugh Foley [2020 Irish Amateur] 70, 72 -2
T11. Tom Hughes (Formby) [RQ Sun] 73, 69 -2
T19. John Carroll (Huyton & Prescot) [RQ Sat] 74, 71 +1
T.19 Joe Retford (Cumberwell Park) [RQ Sat P/Off] 71, 74 +1
T24. Tom Sherreard (Kings Hill) [RQ Sat P/Off] 73, 73 +2 
T.24 Jack Brooks (The Mere) [RQ Sat] 72, 74 +2
T24. Tom Irwin (Alwoodley) [RQ Sun] 73, 73 +2
T28. Arron Edwards-Hill (Chelmsford) [WAGR] 76, 71 +3
T28. Richard Cheetham (Pedham Place) [RQ Sat] 74, 73 +3
T28. Barclay Brown [2020 Walker Cup] 71, 76 +3
T28. Richard Knightly (The Royal Dublin) [RQ Sat] 73, 74 +3
T33. Monty Scowsill (Woodbridge) [2020 Amateur Runner-Up] 74, 74 +4
T33. Liam Gobin (Sandiway) [RQ Sun] 74, 74 +4
T38. Josh Greer (Australia) [RQ Sun] 74, 75 +5
T38. Aidan O’Hagan (Old Course Ranfurly) [RQ Sat P/Off] 75, 74 +5
T38. Chris Chilton (High Legh Park) [RQ Sat P/Off] 73, 76 +5 
44. George Holland (Southport & Ainsdale) [RQ Sun] 72, 79 +7
T45. Robert Galligan (Elm Park) [RQ Sun] 78, 74 +8
T45. Mark Kimpton (Vicars Cross) [RQ Sun] 71, 81 +8 
T45. Christian Johnson (Leasowe) [RQ Sun] 78, 74 +8
T45. Jack Wiggans (Chorley) [RQ Sat P/Off Res. 2] 76, 76 +8
55. Cole Betteridge (Sherwood Forest) [RQ Sun] 79, 75 +10
56. Joe Walsh (West Lancashire) [RQ Sat] 73, 82 +11
57. Josh Street (Heyrose) [RQ Sun] 73, 83 +12
T58. Ryan Tattan (Chelmsford) [RQ Sat] 79, 78 +13
62. Oliver Beech (Worthing) [RQ Sun] 78, 81 +15
63. Declan Buksh (Marsden Park) [RQ Sun] 85, 77 +18

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Click here and chose your venue to view the full – Final Qualifying Results

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REGIONAL QUALIFYING

Regional Qualifying for the 2021 Open Championship took place on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th June at four courses in England.

The qualifying venues were Notts G.C. (Hollinwell), Prince’s G.C., St. Annes Old Links G.C. and West Lancashire G.C. with 18 holes being played at each competition.

Any amateur with a handicap index no higher than 0.4 or a WAGR listing of 1st-2,000th during 2021 who paid the £150 entry fee could enter.

1,062 players entered Regional Qualifying with 405 of these being amateurs. 63 amateurs progressed to Final Qualifying.

A total of 207 places in Final Qualifying were made available through Regional Qualifying.

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Here are the eight REGIONAL QUALIFYING events with all of the AMATEUR ENTRIES and their results noted.

NOTTS G.C. (HOLLINWELL) – 7,250 yards, par 72

Saturday 26th June
139 players / 48 amateurs / 25 qualifying places

Qualifiers
T5. Greg Peters (Ingestre Park) 69 -3
T10. Ben Rhodes (Headingley) 70 -2
T17. Thomas Pyman (The Oaks) 72 Ev
T17. Jack Sallis (Hollinwell) 72 Ev

Reserves
T24. Marcus Brigham (Malton and Norton) 73 +1 Res. 6 [AFTER PLAY-OFF 15-FOR-2] 
T24. Sam Humpston (Hollinwell) 73 +1 Res. 11 [AFTER PLAY-OFF 15-FOR-2]

Non-Qualifiers
T24. James Claridge (Enville) 73 +1 [AFTER PLAY-OFF 15-FOR-2]
T24. Jacob Austin (Sunningdale) 73 +1 [AFTER PLAY-OFF 15-FOR-2]
T24. Kieron Sutton (Broadway) 73 +1 [AFTER PLAY-OFF 15-FOR-2]
T39. Ian Davidson (City of Newcastle) 74 +2
T39. Harley Yates (Burhill) 74 +2
T39. Max Adams (Got Magog) 74 +2
T48. Dan Ross (Ashridge) 75 +3
T48. Richard Wilson (Ponteland) 75 +3
T48. David Jackson (Hadley Wood) 75 +3
T48. Danny Thompson (Whittington Heath) 75 +3
T48. Jack Pope (Exeter G&CC) 75 +3
T66. Alfie Forisky (Maidenhead) 76 +4
T66. Cameron Steedman (Hollinwell) 76 +4
T66. Luke Allen (Olton) 76 +4
T66. Ollie Brimfield (Mendip Spring) 76 +4
T66. Aled Edwards (The Kendleshire) 76 +4
T76. Luis Witherall (Northants County) 77 +5
T86. George Ackerman (Knebworth) 78 +6
T86. Chris Drabble (Horsley Lodge) 78 +6
T86. Ellis Balding (North Shore) 78 +6
T86. Joss Gosling (Harpenden) 78 +6
T86. Stuart Hale (Burnham & Berrow) 78 +6
T96. Demi Di Matteo (Italy) 79 +7
T96. George Scott (Harpenden) 79 +7
T96. Joshua Freeman (Worlebury) 79 +7
T101. Ryan Alcock (Bawtry Park) 80 +8
T101. Ben Bernamont (The Warwickshire) 80 +8
T107. Nick Davies (Filton) 81 +9
T107. Michael Day (Henbury) 81 +9
T107. Graham Badger (Royal Mid-Surrey) 81 +9
T107. Robert Henderson (Hexham) 81 +9
T107. Richard Duff (Hollinwell) 81 +9
T107. Jack Foster (Ashridge) 81 +9
T119. Steven Knighton (Breadsall Priory) 82 +10
T119. James Marshman (Wrag Barn) 82 +10
T126. Jack Hall (Kilworth Springs) 83 +11
T128. Luke Ryan (Ely City) 85 +13
T128. George Taylor (Olton) 85 +13
T131. Ross Popescu (Enville) 86 +14
T131. Matthew Stephenson (Ramside Hall) 86 +14
T136. Artur Koyama (Luffenham Heath) 88 +16
138. Federico Bellezza (Italy) 91 +19

Sunday 27th June
137 players / 45 amateurs / 24 qualifying places

Qualifiers
T3. Eliot Baker (Tiverton) 69 -3
T6. Darren Coop (Hallowes) 70 -2
T10. Jordan Boulton (Hollinwell) 71 -1 
T10. Charlie Thornton (Fulford) 71 -1
T10. Aadam Syed (Foxhills) 71 -1
T10. Josh Hill (Trump International Dubai) 71 -1
T10. Alex Winn (Bristol & Clinton) 71 -1
T19. Kale Heath (Kings Lynn) 72 Ev [AFTER PLAY-OFF 7-FOR-6]
T19. Philip White (Burnham & Berrow) 72 Ev [AFTER PLAY-OFF 7-FOR-6]

Reserves
T26. Matthew Downes (Ingestre Park) 73 +1 Res. 8

Non-Qualifiers
T26. Ben Quick (Beaconsfield) 73 +1
T38. Connor O’Brien (Mid-Herts) 74 +2
T38. William Walker (Sherwood Forest) 74 +2
T44. Jared Tyacke (West Herts) 75 +3
T44. Ryan Craig (Dunstable Downs) 75 +3
T54. Adam Barnard (Elsham) 76 +4
T54. Joshua Kearns (Stratford-on-Avon) 76 +4
T54. Andy Blackwell (Northants County) 76 +4
T54. Michael Henson (Rockliffe Hall) 76 +4
T65. Fred Tindale (Woodhall Spa) 77 +5
T65. Nev Davies (The Berkshire) 77 +5
T74. Andy Orr (The Shire London) 78 +6
T74. Peter Trego (The Nottinghamshire) 78 +6
T74. George Mason (Wath) 78 +6
T74. Michael Cox (Broome Manor) 78 +6
T74. Ben Newsome (The Shire) 78 +6
T88. Zane Pexman (Australia) 79 +7
T88. Warren Bates (Heacham Manor) 79 +7
T92. Charles Petrie (Luffenham Heath) 80 +8
T92. Garry Cuthbert (Alwoodley) 80 +8
T100. Alex Easter (East Berkshire) 81 +9
T100 Daniel Gathercole (Marriott Worsley Park) 81 +9
T106. Joshua Millington (The Players Club) 82 +10
109. Ryan Staykov (Bulgaria) 83 +11
T110. Connor Jones (The Belfry) 84 +12
T110. Lee White (Frilford Heath) 84 +12
T110. Jack Randall (Chiltern Forest) 84 +12
T110. Matthew Gibson (Royal Blackheath) 84 +12
T115. Matthew McEachran (Royal Wimbledon) 85 +13
T119. Karan Tiwari (Wyke Green) 86 +14
T123. George Wall (Bridgnorth) 87 +15
129. Anthony Cloke (Australia) 92 +20
T131. Ceri Fearnley (Shirehampton) RTD
T131. George Griffiths (Lingdale) WD
T131. James Curran (Gog Magog) WD

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PRINCE’S G.C. (SHORE & DUNES) – 7,282 yards, par 72

Saturday 26th June
140 players / 35 amateurs / 25 qualifying places

Qualifiers
T4. Daniel Roberts (The London) 69 -3
T12. Nick Flynn (West Byfleet) 71 -1
T12. Jan Brugelmann (Germany) 71 -1
T12. Jamie Guppy (Littlestone) 71 -1
T19. Benjamin Humphrey (Chelmsford) 72 Ev [AFTER PLAY-OFF 8-FOR-7]
T19. Oliver Lewis-Perkins (Mid-Kent) 72 Ev [AFTER PLAY-OFF 8-FOR-7]

Reserves
T27. Jamie Roberts (London) 73 +1 Res. 4

Non-Qualifiers
T32. Ross Dee (Orsett) 74 +2
T32. Gareth Sheriden (Camberley Heath) 74 +2
T32. Jack Haines (Gerrards Cross) 74 +2
T32. Harley Smith (The Rayleigh Club) 74 +2
T32. Harvey Byers (Walton Heath) 74 +2
T44. Steve Weidner (Ballards Gove) 75 +3
T44. Richard Caldwell (Sunningdale) 75 +3
T44. Yago Rio Aja (Spain) 75 +3
T54. Charlie Croker (Thornsdon Park) 76 +4
T54. Harry Wood (Orsett) 76 +4
T54. Mark Healy (Royal St. George’s) 76 +4
T54. Philip Ashenden (Woodbridge) 76 +4
T64. Sam Statham (Knole Park) 77 +5
T64. Freddie Horler (Berkshire) 77 +5
T64. Jack Holland (Littlestone) 77 +5
T81. George Crow (Rochester & Cobham Park) 78 +6
T81. Thomas Ryan (Knebworth) 78 +6
T81. Dylan Smith (Portlethan) 79 +7
T91. Joseph McDonagh-Brown (Wrotham Heath) 79 +7
T100. Neil Relph (Prince’s) 80 +8
T100. Josh Balson-Scales (Wentworth Club) 80 +8
T100. Harry Bush (Walton Heath) 80 +8
T109. Nathan Longley (Worthing) 81 +9
T116. Matthew Brunt (Bird Hills) 82 +10
T119. Nathan Parrish (Chelmsford) 83 +11
T123. Simon Prestcote (Hanbury Manor) 84 +12
128. Joshua Bisdée (Huntercombe) 87 +15
T133. Tom Goodley (Royal West Norfolk) WD

Sunday 27th June
134 players / 43 amateurs / 25 qualifying places

Qualifiers
T7. Ben Quinney (Kings Hill) 71 -1
T7. Zach Chegwidden (Orsett) 71 -1
T7. Nic Elliott (Tandridge) 71 -1
T14. Brandon Meads (Brentwood) 72 Ev
T14. Jacob Kelso (Kings Hill) 72 Ev
T20. Alex Kephart (USA) 73 +1

Reserves
T24. Ignatius McGuiness (Harleyford) 74 +2 Res. 2 [AFTER PLAY-OFF 9-FOR-2]
T24. Harry Anstock (Woburn) 74 +2 Res. 7 [AFTER PLAY-OFF 9-FOR-2]

Non-Qualifiers
T33. Charlie Roper (The Berkshire) 75 +3
T33. Seve Rixon (Royal Wimbledon) 75 +3
T37. Andy Smith (Bearsted) 76 +4
T37. Luke Spooner (Sundridge Park) 76 +4
T37. Matt Gauntlett (West Herts) 76 +4
T51. Harry Spellman (North Foreland) 77 +5
T51. Kipp Popert (Wildernesse) 77 +5
T51. Joshua Patmore (Knole Park) 77 +5
T51. Alex Cooper (Hindhead) 77 +5
T51. Andrew Whitford (Lilley Brook) 77 +5
T62. Niall Cameron (Royal St George’s) 78 +6
T62. Oliver Daws (Royal Cinque Ports) 78 +6
T62. Teddy Hall (Got Magog) 78 +6
T62. Michael Pask (Royal Wimbledon) 78 +6
T62. Sam Russell (Royal Eastbourne) 78 +6
T72. Tomasz Boniek (Italy) 79 +7
T72. James Ellis (Centurian Club) 79 +7
T83. David North (Royal Wimbledon) 80 +8
T83. Josh Austin-Tierney (Got Magog) 80 +8
T83. Edward Keep (Clandon Regis) 80 +8
T83. Shaun Macklin (Rochester & Cobham Park) 80 +8
T83. Neil Atherton (Stoneham) 80 +8
T101. Lee Meakin (Royal St George’s Permit Holders) 82 +10
T101. Callum Gardiner (Ashford) 82 +10
108. Tony W. Adams (Prince’s) 83 +11
T109. Ben Smith (West Hill) 84 +12
T113. Scott Tindle (Canada) 85 +13
T113. Leslie Howkins (The Richmond) 85 +13
T113. Jack Kenny (Beaverbrook) 85 +13
T119. Eamonn O’Connor (Royal Wimbledon) 87 +15
124. Luke Leverett (Sunningdale Heath) 89 +17
125. Charles Hitchcock (Royal Porthcawl) 90 +18
T127. Julian Hayward (Rockliffe Hall) 93 +21
T128. Shane McCaughan (Royal Cinque Ports Artisan) NR
T128. Michael Price (Australia) DQ

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ST. ANNES OLD LINKS – 6,907 yards, par 72

Saturday 26th June
128 players / 61 amateurs / 26 qualifying places

Qualifiers
T2. Stephen Roger (Peebles) 67 -5
T5. Alex Dixon (City of Newcastle) 68 -4
T7. Daniel Thomas (Ilkley) 69 -3
T11. Jack McPhail (Southport & Ainsdale) 70 -2
T11. Ross Clewley (Prestbury) 70 -2
T19. Greg Holmes (Royal Birkdale) 71 -1 
T19. William McGhie (Lancaster) 71 -1
T19. Mark Millhouse (Turton) 71 -1

Reserves
T31. Hamish Mills (Cardross) 73 +1 Res. 10

Non-Qualifiers
T31. Dominic Barron Holden (Kendal) 73 +1
T31. Freddie MacArthur (Ullesthorpe Court) 73 +1
T31. Darren Carlisle (Fairhaven) 73 +1
T31. Ashley Williams (Deane) 73 +1
T39. Gregor Graham (Blairgowrie) 74 +2
T39. Chris Lewis (Fulford) 74 +2
T39. Jay Scott (Tiverton) 74 +2
T39. Harrison Thomas-Cooper (St Annes Old Links) 74 +2
T39. Luke Quint (Ulverston) 74 +2
T39. Arthur Tapner (Ashridge) 74 +2
T51. Jeff Pitt (Close House) 75 +3
T51. Lewis Irvine (Kirkhill) 75 +3
T51. Greg Brown (Cathkin Braes) 75 +3
T51. George Mills (Pyecombe) 75 +3
T51. Samuel Burton (Prestbury) 75 +3
T51. John Heppell (Brancepath Castle) 75 +3
T51. Jamie Van Wyk (Royal Lytham & St Annes) 75 +3
T63. Ryan Owen (Styal) 76 +4
T63. Toby Garrett (Crosland Heath) 76 +4
T63. Chris Brookfield (Blackpool North Shore) 76 +4
T63. Michael Kilgallon (Northcliffe) 76 +4
T63. Jack Wallbank (Ashton and Lea) 76 +4
T63. Paul Frith (Genearn) 76 +4
T75. Adam Charlton (Ramside) 77 +5
T75. Dean Morris (Swansea Bay) 77 +5
T75. Joseph Murray (Blundells Hill) 77 +5
T75. John Ellison (Accrington) 77 +5
T75. Chris Abbott (Lutterworth) 77 +5
T75. Paul Godding (Rugby) 77 +5
T75. Anthony Stirling (Formby) 77 +5
T86. Riaz Rattansi (Queenwood) 78 +6
T86. Lillian LeBoucher (France) 78 +6
T86. Christopher Tod (Duxbury Park) 78 +6
T86. Colin Greenall (St Annes Old Links) 78 +6
T95. Joshua McAspurn (Crosland Heath) 79 +7
T95. Jordan Clements (Northcliffe) 79 +7
T95. Neil Williams (St Annes Old Links) 79 +7
T95. Rob Brightman (The Millbrook) 79 +7
T102. William Nimmo (Chester-le-Street) 80 +8
T102. Sam Stewart (St Annes Old Links) 80 +8
T102. Nicholas Peoples (Royal Lytham & St Annes) 80 +8
T110. Al McCulloch (Knebworth) 82 +10
T110. Alex Croston (Fleetwood) 82 +10
T110. Ben Scanes (Romford) 82 +10
T110. Owen Thomas (Brancepeth Castle) 82 +10
T110. Ben Hinchey (Machynys Peninsula) 82 +10
T116. Archie Palmer (Davenport) 85 +13
T119. Dominic Jesper (Pannal) 87 +15
T119. Will Coxon (Carus Green) 87 +15
T119. Robert O’Donnell (Meldrum House) 87 +15
123. James Morrison (Bothwell Castle) 90 +18
T124. Benito O’Loughlin (Denham) 92 +20

Sunday 27th June
130 players / 48 amateurs / 25 qualifying places

Qualifiers
T6. Rhys Nevin (Sandiway) 68 -4
T6. Robbie Spence (Furness) 68 -4
T10. Jack Ainscough (The Wynyard) 69 -3
T15. Andrew Haswell (Ormskirk) 70 -2
T15. Thomas Ratcliffe (Southport & Ainsdale) 70 -2
T19. Aiden Hoosen (Manchester) 71 -1 [AFTER PLAY-OFF 19-FOR-7]
T19. Fraser McLeod (Hazel Grove) 71 -1 [AFTER PLAY-OFF 19-FOR-7]
T19. Will Marshall (Heworth) 71 -1 [AFTER PLAY-OFF 19-FOR-7]

Reserves

Non-Qualifiers
T19. Scott Brown (Oakdale) 71 -1 [AFTER PLAY-OFF 19-FOR-7]
T38. Warren Bladon (Kenilworth) 72 Ev
T38. Joshua Turnock (Prestbury) 72 Ev
T38. Alex Walker (Rochdale) 72 Ev
T43. George Ash (Hallowes) 73 +1
T43. George Leversuch (South Herts) 73 +1
T50. Seb Crabtree (Woodsome Hall) 74 +2
T50. Harry Uzzell (Wentworth) 74 +2
T50. Matthew Gresty (Childwall) 74 +2
T50. Mark Lamb (Ganstead Park) 74 +2
T50. Ed Dimambro (Gog Magog) 74 +2
T61. Ian Henderson (Blyth) 75 +3
T61. Chris Carney (Morecombe) 75 +3
T61. Ross Allott (Waitemata) 75 +3
T61. Jackson Garnett (Five Lakes) 75 +3
T71. Sean Huntington (Castle Eden) 76 +4
T71. David Marris (Links Newmarket) 76 +4
T71. Thomas Matthews (Aldersey Green) 76 +4
T71. Jonathan Beesley (The Mere) 76 +4
T86. Darren Howie (Peebles) 77 +5
T86. Freddie Lawrence (Garon Park) 77 +5
T86. George Finlay (Carnoustie) 77 +5
T95. Leigh Clayton (Fleetwood) 78 +6
T95. Ben Churchill (Fleetwood) 78 +6
T95. Matthew Buckley (Bolton Old Links) 78 +6
T95. Curtis Thompson (Blackpool North Shore) 78 +6
T95. Jack Kurzberg (Wentworth) 78 +6
T95. William Bowe (Workington) 78 +6
T105. Mark Diamond (Furness) 79 +7
T105. Harrison Leaver (Worcester) 79 +7
T110. William Walne (Longridge) 80 +8
T110. Thomas Winn (Morecombe) 80 +8
T113. Gavin Wilson (Ladybank) 83 +11
T113. AJ Ball (Beauchief) 83 +11
T113. Miles Wade (Longridge) 83 +11
118. Matthew Astall (Rowan) 85 +13
119. Louis Martin (Saffron Walden) 86 +14
120. Thomas Johnson (Astbury) 89 +17
121. Farris Hassan (Bothwell Castle) 90 +18
T122. Ian Matheson (Bonnybridge) NR

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WEST LANCASHIRE G.C. – 7,016 yards, par 72

Saturday 26th June
126 players / 65 amateurs / 29 qualifying places

Qualifiers
T3. Richard Cheetham (Pedham Place) 68 -4
T5. Richard Knightly (The Royal Dublin) 69 -3
T5. Ryan Tattan (Chelmsford) 69 -3
T15. John Carroll (Huyton & Prescot) 71 -1
T15. Joe Walsh (West Lancashire) 71 -1
T15. Jack Brooks (The Mere) 71 -1
T22. Aidan O’Hagan (Old Course Ranfurly) 72 Ev [AFTER PLAY-OFF 10-FOR-8]
T22. Chris Chilton (High Legh Park) 72 Ev [AFTER PLAY-OFF 10-FOR-8]
T22. Joe Retford (Cumberwell Park) 72 Ev [AFTER PLAY-OFF 10-FOR-8]
T22. Tom Sherreard (Kings Hill) 72 Ev [AFTER PLAY-OFF 10-FOR-8]

Reserves
T22. Jack Wiggans (Chorley) 72 Ev Res. 2 [AFTER PLAY-OFF 10-FOR-8]
T22. Ashley Siddle (Stockport) 72 Ev Res. 3 [AFTER PLAY-OFF 10-FOR-8]
T32. Frank Kennedy (Trump National Jupiter) 73 +1 Res. 6
T32. Habebul Islam (Ipswich) 73 +1 Res. 7
T32. Chris Harrison (Leigh) 73 +1 Res. 11

Non-Qualifiers
T32. Aaron Siddell (Sonning) 73 +1
T32. Seán Keeling (Roganstown) 73 +1
T32. Oliver Brown (Royal Porthcawl) 73 +1
T39. James Erskine-Low (Woolton) 74 +2
T44. Riccardo Fantinelli (Italy) 75 +3
T44. Robert Holden (Letchworth) 75 +3
T44. Charlie Kelly (Athlone) 75 +3
T50. Daniel Haycocks (Oswestry) 76 +4
T50. Jack Sutttie (Denton) 76 +4
T50. James Jaycock (West Lancashire) 76 +4
T50. James Wilson (Balmore) 76 +4
T50. Callum Bruce (Elsham) 76 +4
T50. Danny Loveday (St Neots) 76 +4
T50. Nick Blackhurst (West Lancashire) 76 +4
T50. Pádraig O’Dochartaigh (Gweedore) 76 +4
T61. Jake Hibbert (Delamere Forest) 77 +5
T61. Gary Skipp (Robin Hood) 77 +5
T61. Patrick Keeling (Roganstown) 77 +5
T61.  Luke Rogers (Kidderminster) 77 +5
T61. Ben Sheriff (Elsham) 77 +5
T71. Ollie White (Pannal) 78 +6
T71. Nandit Sondagar (Stoke Park) 78 +6
T71. Mark Westmoreland (Seaton Carew) 78 +6
T71. Michael McCormack (Hesketh) 78 +6
T71. Robert Cull (Bromborough) 78 +6
T71. Remy Miller (Prestbury) 78 +6
T82. Kane McCumesky (Davenport) 79 +7
T82. Jonny Golding (Hinckley) 79 +7
T91. Kris Diamond (Seaton Carew) 80 +8
T91. Tom Howells (The Worcestershire) 80 +8
T91. Lewis Reid (Glasgow) 80 +8
T97. Tristan Tusa (Royal West Norfolk) 81 +9
T97. Gregg Peel (Wilpshire) 81 +9
T101. Kristian Towers (Crewe) 82 +10
T101. Tim Saunders (Holywell) 82 +10
T101. Neil Walker (Northop) 82 +10
T101. Kevin Whittaker (Formby Hall) 82 +10
T107. Matthew Thornton (Lowes Park) 83 +11
T107. Alfie Simpson (Ham Manor) 83 +11
T109. Josh Wilkinson (Grange Park) 84 +12
T109. Harry Fearn (Leek) 84 +12
T109. Dominic O’Brien (Warrington) 84 +12
T112. Adam Carr (Sale) 85 +13
T116. Darren Humphries (Ludlow) 87 +15
T116. James Gerencser (South Shields) 87 +15
T118. Simon Naylor (Hampton Court Palace) 88 +16
T119. Reece Cranfield (Wigan) NR
T119. Jack Cornes (High Legh Park) NR
T119. Melwin Heyne Sundqvist (Sweden) WD
T119. Hari Pachu (Machynys Peninsula) WD

Sunday 27th June
128 players / 60 amateurs / 28 qualifying places

Qualifiers
T6. Josh Street (Heyrose) 71 -1
T6. Christian Johnson (Leasowe) 71 -1
T6. Liam Gobin (Sandiway) 71 -1
T10. Declan Buksh (Marsden Park) 72 Ev
T10. Robert Galligan (Elm Park) 72 Ev
T17. Tom Hughes (Formby) 73 +1
T17. Cole Betteridge (Sherwood Forest) 73 +1
T17. Mark Kimpton (Vicars Cross) 73 +1
T17. Tom Irwin (Alwoodley) 73 +1
T17. Oliver Beech (Worthing) 73 +1
T17. Josh Greer (Australia) 73 +1
T17. George Holland (Southport & Ainsdale) 73 +1

Reserves
T29. Danial Parsons (Sudbury) 74 +2 Res. 9

Non-Qualifiers
T34. Max King (The Manchester) 75 +3
T34. Andrew Ni (Murrayfield) 75 +3
T34. Tim Fish (Royal Lytham & St Annes) 75 +3
T42. George Johnson (Beaconsfield) 76 +4
T42. Ronnie Casey (Malden) 76 +4
T42. Dan Johnson (Prestbury) 76 +4
T42. Matthew Raybould (Hornsea) 76 +4
T51. James Blyth (Worplesdon) 77 +5
T60. James Holland (Southport & Ainsdale) 78 +6
T60. Jack Lampkin (Bracken Ghyll) 78 +6
T60. Stephen Hargreaves (West Derby) 78 +6
T60. Daniel Maguire (Houghwood) 78 +6
T60. Lewis McNicholas (Crewe) 78 +6
T60. Anthony Watts (Darrington) 78 +6
T60. Daniel Morris (Fairhaven) 78 +6
T60. Thomas Graves (West Lancashire) 78 +6
T60. Steven Capper (Royal Liverpool) 78 +6
T60. Ally MacDonald (Heswell) 78 +6
T74. Robert Reid (Crewe) 79 +7
T74. Jake Wiltshire (Ormskirk) 79 +7
T74. James Reed (Exeter) 79 +7
T74. John Kendall (Crewe) 79 +7
T74. Simon Fairburn (Torwoodlee) 79 +7
T74. Henry Gibbs (Formby Hall) 79 +7
T74. Harry Lord (Rossendale) 79 +7
T86. Stephen Guy (Bootle) 80 +8
T86. Harry Begg (Southport & Ainsdale) 80 +8
T86. Sam Prince (Stockport) 80 +8
T86. John Penny (Torwoodlee) 80 +8
T95. David Jeanrenaud (Houghwood) 81 +9
T95. Lewis Johansen (Caldy) 81 +9
T95. Matthew Hibbs (Broome Manor) 81 +9
T95. Jamie Preston (Crewe) 81 +9
T95. Simon Bright (Brockett Hall) 81 +9
T101. Andrew Houghton (Huyton & Prescot) 82 +10
T101. Sebastian Sandin (Dunblane New) 82 +10
T101. Jackson Berry (Torwoodlee) 82 +10
T106. Matthew Stewart (Beamish Park) 83 +11
T106. Jake Chute (Tandridge) 83 +11
T106. Chris Duffy (Park) 83 +11
T110. Tim Newton (South Herts) 84 +12
T110. Oliver Reid (Crewe) 84 +12
T110. Ian Robinson (Kirkby Lonsdale) 84 +12
T115. James Jones (Royal Birkdale) 86 +14
T115. Liam Debattista (The Lambourne) 86 +14
T118. Jack Brown (Brampton Heath GC) 87 +15

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Click here and chose your venue to view the full – Regional Qualifying Results

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ME.

Copyright © 2014-2021, Mark Eley. All rights reserved.

The Amateur Championship – 2021 Preview & Results

Saturday 19th June 2021

Laird SHEPHERD (ENG) won the 2021 Amateur Championship at Nairn Golf Club.

The 23 year old from Rye G.C. beat Monty SCOWSILL (ENG) on the 38th Hole of an engrossing Final.

Shepherd, a graduate of Stirling University and a resident of St. Andrews, can now look forward to competing in the 149th Open Championship at Royal St. George’s G.C. next month, the 2022 Masters Tournament at Augusta National G.C. and also the 2022 U.S. Open Championship at The Country Club in Brookline, near Boston.

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Laird Shepherd (Photo: The Nairn G.C.)

Play started at 8.30am and Scowsill came shooting out of the blocks building a 4Up lead after nine holes helped by four birdies in five holes from the 5th.

After further birdies at the 10th and 15th the Woodbridge G.C. man from Suffolk found himself 8Up on the 18th tee.

Shepherd then won the 18th with a par to go into lunch 7Down but perhaps having now won his first hole of the match felt that all was not yet lost.

Shepherd who started the Final as the favourite, based on rankings of SPWAR #2,850 / WAGR #846 v. Scowsill’s SPWAR #4,180 / WAGR #1,181, was certainly not going to rollover without a fight.

However, there was no sign of a Shepherd comeback or a Scowsill faltering in the opening holes of the afternoon round with the first four holes all halved.

It was on the next hole where Shepherd got his comeback underway. A birdie on the 383 yard par 4 5th reduced Scowsill’s lead to 6Up with 13 holes to play.

Two consecutive birdies on 8 and 9 reduced the lead to 4up with 9 holes to play and all of a sudden it was ‘game on’.

Despite losing the par 3 11th to a bogey Shepherd was handed the hole straight back on the next when Scowsill bogeyed.

After pars were shared on the 13th and 14th holes Scowsill finally looked as if he must have done enough – 4Up with four holes to play. Under the pressure of knowing any mistakes would probably be terminal such an advantage would surely prove too big a mountain for Shepherd to climb.

The unbelievable then happened. A combination of good play from Shepherd and badly timed mistakes from Scowsill saw the match amazingly end All Square in regulation.

At this point there was only going to be one winner and indeed that proved to be the case. A shell-shocked Scowsill three putted the 2nd extra hole to hand Shepherd the victory after he had already pared the hole.

After the match Shepherd said “Honestly, at lunch I thought this was over. I was just trying to avoid an embarrassing score line. I can’t believe this really. Monty played so well this morning. My caddie did a great job getting in my ear. So did my girlfriend (Chloe Goadby, who won the Scottish Women’s Amateur a few weeks ago) and my Dad. They were telling me not to give up. But I still couldn’t really see it happening. To win is amazing enough, but to come back like this is completely surreal.”

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Monty Scowsill v. Laird Shepherd – Hole-By-Hole Results (Graphic: The R&A / Golfbox Scoring)

Click here to view the – 2021 Amateur Championship Match Play Scores

ME.

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Friday 18th June 2021

Afternoon – Semi-Finals

Monty SCOWSILL (ENG) and Laird SHEPHERD (ENG) were the two Semi-Final winners this afternoon.

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Match Play Semi-Finals Results (Graphic: The R&A / Golfbox Scoring)

Scowsill, who graduated from the University of Exeter in 2019, got off to a great start in his match against James ASHFIELD (WAL) moving into a 2Up lead after a birdie on the 3rd. However some poor play on the 8th and 9th saw the Englishman lose his advantage. The back nine turned into a scrappy affair as the magnitude of the occasion possibly started to influence proceedings. However, Scowsill helped by birdies on the 10th and 15th moved back in front and despite a stumble on the 16th saw out a 2 Holes victory as Ashfield was forced to press down the last.

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Monty Scowsill v. James Ashfield – Hole-By-Hole Results (Graphic: The R&A / Golfbox Scoring)

Laird SHEPHERD (ENG) added Jack DYER (ENG) to his growing list of impressive wins this week which already included highly regarded England Internationals Arron Edwards-Hill and Sam Bairstow.

Shepherd took the early lead but when he went 1Down after Dyer birdied the 10th I am sure most people’s expectations were that the recent GB&I Walker Cup player would then move forward serenely to the Final. However, Shepherd proved not to be in an accommodating mood and at his competitive best birdied both the 15th and 18th, where he played two high quality shots into the home green to secure a memorable 1Hole win.

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Laird Shepherd v. Jack Dyer – Hole-By-Hole Results (Graphic: The R&A / Golfbox Scoring)

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Morning – Quarter Finals

Here are the Quarter Final results: –

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Match Play Quarter Final Results (Graphic: The R&A / Golfbox Scoring)  

Looking at each of the four games in more detail: –

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Monty Scowsill v. John Paterson – Hole-By-Hole Results (Graphic: The R&A / Golfbox Scoring)

Monty SCOWSILL (ENG), the lowest ranked player left in the field at SPWAR #4,180 / WAGR #1,181, was given some early encouragement by a poor start from John PATERSON (SCO), ranked SPWAR #857 / WAGR #567, and saw out the match nicely.

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James Ashfield v. Calum Scott – Hole-By-Hole Results (Graphic: The R&A / Golfbox Scoring)

James ASHFIELD (WAL), SPWAR #2,322 / WAGR #1,431, was clearly not in the mood to make friends this morning disposing of the home favourite 17 year old Calum SCOTT (SCO), SPWAR #319 / WAGR #655, by 2&1. If the hole-by-hole scoring is to be believed Ashfield’s double bogey on the 12th are the first shots he has dropped in his last two games. That level of consistency is going to work around a tough course like Nairn where a par will often win you a hole.

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Laird Shepherd v. Sam Bairstow – Hole-By-Hole Results (Graphic: The R&A / Golfbox Scoring)

St. Andrews-based Laird SHEPHERD (ENG), currently ranked SPWAR #2,850 / WAGR #846, showed great determination in overcoming Sam BAIRSTOW (ENG), SPWAR #90 / WAGR #141, having been 3Down after six holes and 1Down after 14.

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Jack DYER (ENG), ranked SPWAR #42 / WAGR #168, was the last player Olly HUGGINS (ENG), SPWAR #96 / WAGR #137, needed to give a head start to. Having been ‘handed’ a 4UP lead after four holes it would have been a major surprise if the confident and in form Dyer had done anything other than see out this match easily.

ME.

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Thursday 17th June 2021

Afternoon – Round 3

Here are the Round 3 results: –

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Match Play Round 3 Results (Graphic: The R&A / Golfbox Scoring)  

Looking at the hole-by-hole scores for each Last 16 match: –

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Ben Quinney v. Monty Scowsill – Hole-By-Hole Results (Graphic: The R&A / Golfbox Scoring)

Ben QUINNEY (ENG) was left to rue a couple of bogeys on 13 and 14 as Monty SCOWSILL‘s consistency on the back nine eventually wore him down.

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John Paterson v. Josef Hacker – Hole-By-Hole Results (Graphic: The R&A / Golfbox Scoring)

This was an all US college match up with both players returning Juniors in September. 21 year old John PATERSON (SCO), who is at Colorado University, produced plenty of birdies in overcoming Jersey-based Josef HACKER (ENG), who is studying at Jacksonville University.

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Jack Bigham v. James Ashfield – Hole-By-Hole Results (Graphic: The R&A / Golfbox Scoring)

James ASHFIELD (WAL) enjoyed his second 4&3 victory of the day, this time over Jack BIGHAM (ENG) who appears to have played reasonably well himself. I am sure Ashfield would have beaten most of the remaining players this afternoon with his impressive 5-under for 15 holes performance.

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Calum Scott v. Harley Smith – Hole-By-Hole Results (Graphic: The R&A / Golfbox Scoring)

Nairn’s very own Calum SCOTT (SCO) was again taken to the 19th hole today but was once more up to the task. 15 year old Harley SMITH (ENG) perhaps lacked the experience to close out the match having taken the lead on the 17th.

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Laird Shepherd v. Arron Edwards-Hill – Hole-By-Hole Results (Graphic: The R&A / Golfbox Scoring)

Stirling graduate Laird SHEPHERD (ENG) who has had to overcome some serious back and knee injuries in recent years used all of his links golf experience to get passed Arron EDWARDS-HILL (ENG). With Shepherd having played only a few events in recent years I am sure Edwards-Hill would not have been expecting a near flawless performance to be coming his way this afternoon.

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Ryan Tattan v. Sam Bairstow – Hole-By-Hole Results (Graphic: The R&A / Golfbox Scoring)

Sam BAIRSTOW (ENG) appeared to have his match won against Ryan TATTAN (ENG) when he birdied the 8th and 9th to go 3Up. He then lost three holes in a row before recovering with a pitch-in eagle on the 15th to regain the advantage. It looks like a great finish with both players battling all the way to the clubhouse.

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Callan Barrow v. Olly Huggins – Hole-By-Hole Results (Graphic: The R&A / Golfbox Scoring)  

Olly HUGGINS (ENG), who holed an 8 foot birdie putt on the 18th hole on Tuesday evening to qualify for the Match Play Stage and had already endured two close games, will be relieved to have conserved some energy by pulling away from Scottish Open Amateur champion Callan BARROW (ENG) down the back nine.

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Robert Moran v. Jack Dyer – Hole-By-Hole Results (Graphic: The R&A / Golfbox Scoring)

Jack DYER (ENG) continues to look like the class act in the field and wasn’t overly troubled by Irishman Rob MORAN. Moran backed up his recent win in the ISPS Handa Ulster Men’s Stroke Play Championship with a good run at Nairn but Dyer was just too good for him today.

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Morning – Round 2

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Match Play Round 2 Results (Graphic: The R&A / Golfbox Scoring)  

Josef HACKER (ENG), Jack BIGHAM (ENG) and Callan BARROW (ENG) enjoyed the biggest wins in Round 2 this morning.

Harley SMITH (ENG) beating Haider HUSSAIN (ENG) by 2&1 was perhaps the biggest surprise of the series.

ME.

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Wednesday 16th June 2021

After a course record 62 yesterday and medalist honours there was an inevitability about Matthew CLARK‘s (SCO) 5&4 defeat to Mason ESSAM (ENG) in Round 1 of the Match Play Stage of The Amateur Championship. The fact Essam played beautifully and putted the lights out was probably irrelevant. That ladies and gentleman is golf.

Jack BIGHAM (ENG) and Connor WILSON (SCO) arguably produced the best two wins of the day. Bigham beat Archie DAVIES (WAL) who had finished the US college season strongly for East Tennessee State whilst Wilson took the even bigger scalp of Mark POWER (IRL), hot off the back of his Walker Cup heroics for GB&I.

Calum SCOTT (SCO) demonstrated that he is likely to be a force to be reckoned for a little while longer by beating the former Boys’ Amateur champion and 2019 Walker Cup player Conor GOUGH (ENG) 3&2. Conor is not the player he was a few years ago but nevertheless this was another impressive step forward for the Nairn man.

Ominously for the remaining players the highly rated English group of Haider HUSSAIN (ENG), Arron EDWARDS-HILL (ENG), Sam BAIRSTOW (ENG), Callan BARROW (ENG), Olly HUGGINS (ENG) and Jack DYER (ENG) are all safely through to the last 32.

Here are the full Round 1 results: –

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Match Play Round 1 Results (Graphic: The R&A / Golfbox Scoring)  

ME.

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Tuesday 15th June 2021

Experienced Scottish International Matthew CLARK, a 39 year old TSB bank manager, has played many great rounds in his illustrious amateur career. Today’s bogey free course record 62 (-9) at Nairn to secure medalist honours in the Amateur Championship may very well be the best of the lot.

A delighted Clark, who has never qualified before, said “I hit a lot of good golf shots, played conservatively and avoided the bunkers, which you need to do around this golf course. It’s a nice place to get a course record, but I think you’d give the 62 up to hold the trophy on Saturday. That’s what we’ve all come here for and they’ll be gunning for the guy who did something good today, so let’s see how it goes.”

img_5329 Matthew Clark’s Stroke Play Qualifying Scorecard (Graphic: The R&A / Golfbox Scoring)  

Aron Snær JÚLÍUSSON (ICL) 65 and Jack DYER (ENG), Gregor TAIT (SCO), Luke HARRIES (WAL), Joe SULLIVAN (ENG) and Rory BROWNE (ENG) all 67 clearly enjoyed the calmer conditions in Round 2.

Round 1 leader Calum SCOTT (SCO) did what he needed to posting a 72 to finish on -3 and 5th.

57 year old Derek PATON (SCO) was by some distance the oldest qualifier finishing on 147 (+5) to secure the 57th seed.

With a Round 2 card countback being used for the first time to ensure a clean 64 player match play draw could be made there was always the potential for some late drama and so it proved. Four of the last six players on the course, John CLEARY (IRL), Olly HUGGINS (ENG), Ryan TATTAN (ENG) and Tom STAGG (ENG), all finished strongly – Cleary and Tattan both eagled the 18th – to jump the right side of the 148 (+6) qualifying line. Huggins produced the best comeback in the field following up is opening 80 with a 68 to scrape through.

Nine players on +6 missed out due to the countback rule; the most unfortunate being Jack BROOKS (ENG), Jacob DAVIES (WAL), Jamie MANN (SCO) and Stuart EASTON (SCO) who all lost their places as the final two groups came in.

The average score in Round 2 was 72.65, four shots better than in Round 1. With the westerly wind less of a factor it was no surprise to see all of those four shots being saved on the front nine.

Here is a list of all the Stroke Play qualifiers with their final scores: –

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Final Stroke Play Qualifying Leaderboard (Photo: The R&A / Golfbox Scoring)

Click here to view the – 2021 Amateur Championship Stroke Play Qualifying Results

ME.

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Monday 14th June 2021

17 year old home favourite Calum SCOTT (SCO) played the opening shot of the 126th Amateur Championship. Little did he know at 7.00am that 14 hours later he would be leading the Stroke Play Qualifying having only played another 66 shots on his way to a bogey free round of 67 (-4).

img_5316Calum Scott’s Round 1 Scorecard (Graphic: The R&A / Golfbox Scoring)  

By the close of play just four competitors from the other 143 had managed to record an under par round. Jack DYER (ENG) finished the day on -3 with 15 year old Florida-based Frank KENNEDY (ENG), Liam O’NEILL (IRL) and Max KENNEDY (IRL) two shots further back after 70’s.

The prevailing westerly wind blew hard today which meant the opening seven holes became a battle with the players having to limit the damage whilst hoping for better things when they turned for home with the wind in their sails.

Josh GREER epitomised these struggles but also demonstrated his strong mental approach. He started and finished with triple bogey 7’s in a front nine of 43. Lesser players would have perhaps given up but not the Australian; he played the back nine in 31 with five birdies and left Nairn with a respectable 74 in 25th place.

The average score in Round 1 was 76.66, 5.66 over par. On the front nine it was 39.93, 4.93 shots over par. Coming home it was 36.73, even with the more favourable conditions still 0.73 over par.

The leading 25 players after 18 holes are shown below: –

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Round 1 Stroke Play Qualifying Leaderboard (Photo: The R&A / Golfbox Scoring)

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Sunday 13th June 2021

The 126th Amateur Championship will be played at The Nairn G.C. near Inverness in Scotland on 14th – 19th June 2021.

The Amateur is the most prestigious amateur golf event played outside of the United States and without question the highlight of the Great British and Irish (GB&I) amateur season.

The 2021 Championship was originally due to be co-hosted by The Nairn G.C. and Nairn Dunbar G.C. but due to the continuing impact of COVID-19 and the likelihood of international travel restrictions remaining in place The R&A took the decision, as they did last year, to play the Championship solely at Nairn with a reduced field.

Format

The normal field of 288 players has been reduced to 144 players this year. It was 120 last year at Royal Birkdale G.C. when the Championship was played in late August and there was less light available.

Two stroke play qualifying rounds will be completed on Monday 14th June and Wednesday 15th June.

Nairn member Calum SCOTT (SCO), will hit the first shot of the Championship at 7.00am. With an 11 minute gap between tee times the final group will go out at 3.52pm on each of the opening days.

Click here to view the – 2021 Amateur Championship SP Qualifying Tee Times

The 64 players with the lowest 36 hole scores will advance to the match play stage.

A Round 2 card countback will be used for the first time to ensure a clean 64 players advance. Ties for 64th place will not advance as they have done previously and as a result there will be no preliminary round and a standard match play draw will be made. The card count back approach was due to be used in 2020 but the decision was rescinded when the Stroke Play Qualifying competition had to be reduced to 18 holes due to bad weather.

The Match Play stage will then be played between Wednesday 16th and Saturday 19th June.

Matches will be played over 18 holes except for Sunday’s Final which will be contested over 36 holes. Extra sudden death holes will be used in all games if necessary.

Players

The 144 competitiors were firstly drawn from a number of exempt categories covering various historic Championship performances and representative team selections.

Thereafter places were allocated to those players ranked 1st – 2,000th in the WAGR as at Week 19 2021, i.e. the Wednesday 19th May release, and then via WHS Handicap index at the date of entry.

I take no pleasure in saying this but the COVID-19 international travel restrictions and the early playing of the Walker Cup mean this is undoubtedly the weakest field that has ever assembled for an Amateur Championship.

92% of the field are from the home nations; England have 70 players in the field (49%), Scotland 36, Ireland 16 and Wales 9.

There are just 12 overseas players from a total of six countries with Iceland providing six of these. 34 countries were represented in 2019 highlighting the continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the reduction in field size.

At the start of play just three of the field were in the WAGR top 100 and just 14 in the top 250. 26 of the players competing do not even have a WAGR ranking. With Sandy SCOTT (SCO) #7 withdrawing on the eve of the competition the highest ranked player in the field is now Jack COPE #29.

Jack DYER (ENG) and Mark POWER (IRL), who reached the semi-finals in 2020, are the only two from the sixteen players selected for the 2021 GB&I Walker Cup Team and earlier Squad that will be teeing off.

The defending champion Joe LONG (ENG) will be using his exemption to appear in the 2021 U.S. Open Championship at Torrey Pines G.C. which starts on 17th June. Last year’s runner up Joe HARVEY (ENG) does return.

Based on the SPWAR, in my opinion the most accurate ranking of amateur golfers, the favourites this year should be Jack DYER (ENG) #54, Mark POWER (IRL) #60, Callan BARROW (ENG) #82, who reached the quarter finals at Birkdale and recently won the Scottish Open Amateur at Southerness, Sam BAIRSTOW (ENG) #90, Olly HUGGINS (ENG) #97, Arron EDWARDS-HILL (ENG) #98, Archie DAVIES (WAL) #99, Jack COPE (ENG) #101, who won the St Andrews Links Trophy last weekend, Haider HUSSAIN (ENG) #105 and Dan BRADBURY (ENG) #113.

Fraser FOTHERINGHAM and Calum SCOTT (SCO) are both members of The Nairn G.C. Only time will tell if home advantage proves to be a benefit for the two of them or a distraction as higher expectations locally can often weigh heavily on the shoulders.

Sadly Calum’s brother Sandy, who played in the 2019 Walker Cup match and was selected for the recent one at Seminole before having to withdraw, was due to play but ultimately missed out again due to his longstanding wrist injury which has now prevented him from playing competitively since last October.

One of the last player to make the field was Louis SANDERS (ENG) who got the nod at 12.30pm on Sunday afternoon. Louis plays out of Copt Heath G.C. in Warwickshire, the home club of amateur legend Peter McEvoy and less importantly my good self.

Another Warwickshire player who is competing is Kenilworth’s Warren Bladon; the 1996 winner is the only former champion in the field.

As we all know Championships are not won on paper or via rankings. The 126th Amateur Championship looks a particularly open one to me and, even more so than normal, virtually any of the players could win it if they have a good week, hole a few putts and benefit from some kind bounces at the right time.

Host Course

The Nairn G.C. is located in The Highlands, around 160 miles north of Scotland’s capital Edinburgh.

The most notable features are the gorse and the Moray Firth which is visible from every hole and in play, for a particularly wild shot, on the opening seven. As these holes play into the prevailing westerly wind such a shot occurs more often than one may think possible at first sight.

Nairn was established by an Edinburgh born lawyer Robert Findlay in 1887 with Old Tom Morris, James Braid, Ben Sayers, Braid again and finally architect C.K. Cotton in the 1970’s all having a hand in the development of the course over the years.

The course was lengthened ahead of the 1999 Walker Cup match which GB&I memorably won 15-9.

The Championship course measures 6,832 yards and has a par of 71.

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The Nairn G.C. Scorecard (Photo: The Nairn G.C.)

Weather Forecast (as at Sunday 13th June)

The weather forecast for the week ahead is positively tropical for this part of the world with the only exception being the strong winds which are forecast for Monday, particularly around lunchtime: –

Mon 13th – Sunny Intervals. Wind 20-40 mph W. Temp. Min. 8°C / Max. 16°C.
Tues 14th – Sunny Intervals. Wind 12 mph S. Temp. Min. 12°C / Max. 16°C.
Wed 15th – Sunny Intervals. Wind 16 mph SW. Temp. Min. 10°C / Max. 18°C.
Thu 16th – Sunny Intervals. Wind 12 mph W. Temp. Min. 7°C / Max. 16°C.
Fri 17th – Sunny Intervals. Wind 11 mph W. Temp. Min. 8°C / Max. 15°C.
Sat 18th – Light Cloud. Wind 14 mph S. Temp. Min. 9°C / Max. 15°C.

Click here to view the – Latest BBC Weather Forecast For Nairn

Tee times between 7.00am and 3.52pm mean changes in the weather can have a material impact on the stroke play qualifying scoring.

Prizes / Exemptions

A momento is presented by The R&A to the leading player in the stroke play qualifying competition, with any ties decided on the lowest second round score (or final nine, six or three or one if necessary).

The winner of the match play stage will become the The Amateur Champion receiving the Championship Trophy and a Gold Medal.

The runner-up receives a Silver Medal and each losing semi-finalist a Bronze Medal.

The winner of The Amateur Championship will be exempt into the 149th Open Championship being staged at Royal St. George’s G.C. in Kent, England in July 2021. As The Open was cancelled last year there will be two Amateur champions in the field, Joe LONG joining this year’s winner.

Traditionally, the champion is also invited to compete in the following year’s Masters Tournament at Augusta National G.C. and also exempted into the 2022 U.S. Open Championship which will be held at The Country Club in Brookline, near Boston.

2020 Amateur Championship

23 year old Joe LONG (ENG) won the 2020 Amateur Championship at Royal Birkdale G.C. to become the 51st Englishman to lift the famous silver trophy.

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Joe Long (Photo: Richard Heathcote / The R&A / R&A via Getty Images)

Joe beat his namesake and Gloucestershire teammate Joe HARVEY (ENG) 4&3 in the 36 hole Final.

It was the first all-England final since Graeme Storm defeated Aran Wainwright 7&6 at Royal County Down in 1999. The last English champion was Harry Ellis who won at Royal St George’s in 2017.

Long shot a 74 (-3) in the stroke play qualifying, which was reduced to 18 holes due to bad weather, to finish tied 30th. In reaching the Final he had to overcome three of England’s leading players Olly HUGGINS, Barclay BROWN and Jake BOLTON.

Click here to view the – 2020 Amateur Championship Match Play Scores

A then 16 year old Ruben LINDSAY (SCO), who was the reigning Scottish Boys’ Amateur champion, shot a 67 (-4) to win the 18 hole Stroke Play Qualifying competition.

2020 was the first time that The R&A had been unable to complete the 36 hole Stroke Play Qualifying since introducing it in 1983. Round 1 was abandoned late in the afternoon on Day 1 after heavy rain and strong winds made the course unplayable.

As a result 68 players progressed to the Match Play Stage with the cut coming at scores of 76 (+5) or better.

Click here to view the – 2020 Amateur Championship Stroke Play Qualifying Results

A Short History of The Amateur

The Amateur Championship was first played in April 1885 at Royal Liverpool G.C. Allan Macfie (SCO) was the first champion beating Horace Hutchinson (ENG) 7&6 in the Final.

Up until the Second World War it was a hugely prestigious event and in many of these early years was afforded a much higher standing in the game than The Open Championship. Players like Johnny Ball (ENG), Harold Hilton (ENG) and Freddie Tait (SCO) were all amateurs and as good if not better than most of the professionals of the day.

With only modest rewards available in the professional game many of the better players simply stayed amateur. The great American Bobby Jones, who won The Amateur in 1930 on the way to his Grand Slam, remains the most well known career amateur.

Even after the war players remained amateur for much longer and famous names like Frank Stranahan (USA), Joe Carr (IRE), Sir Michael Bonallack (ENG) and Peter McEvoy (ENG) all built their reputations on Amateur Championship wins.

With the growth and transformation of the professional game from the early 1980s onwards both the better players and the media increasingly started to turn their backs on the amateur game.

Save for exceptional cases like Gary Wolstenholme (ENG) all continuity has been lost over the last 30 years and most of the young golfing stars of today rarely play any more than 2 or 3 Amateurs before being lured into the pro ranks by the huge rewards on offer.

Past Winners

The greatest player in the history of The Amateur is Johnny Ball. The Hoylake man won the Championship a record 8 times between 1888 and 1912.

Only three other players have won the competition more than twice; Sir Michael Bonallack (5), Harold Hilton (4) and Joe Carr (3). Bonallack amazingly won it three years in a row between 1968-1970. The last person to retain The Amateur was Peter McEvoy in 1977 and ’78.

Prior to Joe Long’s win in 2020 the previous 10 winners of The Amateur Championship were: –

2019  James Sugrue (IRL) – Portmarnock G.C.
2018  Jovan Rebula (RSA) – Royal Aberdeen G.C.
2017  Harry Ellis (ENG) – Royal St. George’s G.C.
2016  Scott Gregory (ENG) – Royal Porthcawl G.C.
2015  Romain Langasque (FRA) – Carnoustie G.L.
2014  Bradley Neil (SCO) – Royal Portrush G.C.
2013  Garrick Porteous (ENG) – Royal Cinque Ports G.C.
2012  Alan Dunbar (IRL) – Royal Troon G.C.
2011  Bryden Macpherson (AUS) – Hillside G.C.
2010  Jin Jeong (KOR) – Muirfield

A great achievement and honour for all of the players listed above. However, it’s also another reminder of how incredibly tough golf is and that wins in the biggest events are no guarantee of success in the professional game.

Click here to view a complete list of – Past Amateur Championship Winners

ME.

Copyright © 2014-2021, Mark Eley. All rights reserved.

The St. Andrews Links Trophy – 2021 Preview & Results

6th June 2021

Play-Off

Jack COPE won the 2021 St Andrews Links Trophy after coming through a sudden death play-off on the Old Course’s 1st and 18th holes against Robin WILLIAMS and George BURNS.

Speaking to the tournament organisers Jack said “I was committed to every shot I hit out there over those four holes. I probably played the best I played all week tee to green. I guess that was a nice time to really peak. I love the home of golf. I particularly like the Old Course, mainly because I normally score alright round there which helps. Just walking over that bridge, taking photos, thinking about all the players who have won here and played here. This is very special to me.”

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Jack Cope With The St Andrews Links Trophy (Photo: Cope Family)

Cope and Williams parred the 1st to eliminate the Scotsman Burns.

The English pair then halved the 18th in birdie and the 1st in par before Cope prevailed with a birdie on the 18th, the fourth extra hole they played. Cope’s drive to 25 feet on the home hole this time proving to be decisive.

Round 4

Reigning English Amateur champion Jack COPE shot a bogey free final round of 67 to take the early clubhouse lead on Sunday evening. Cope had entered the final day tied 13th on -2 and five shots behind the overnight leader Charlie THORNTON.

As the later players came in Robin WILLIAMS and George BURNS both birdied their 18th hole for 70’s to join Cope on 280 (-8).

John GOUGH recorded a 66 in the final round, the best score of the three rounds played on the Old Course this weekend.

Here are the final results which include the play-off: –

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Round 4 Leaderboard (Graphic: St. Andrews Links / OCS Software)

Click here to view the – 2021 St Andrews Links Trophy Results

Round 3

Charlie THORNTON (-8) leads Scott WORMLEIGHTON (-7) and Sam BAIRSTOW, Callan BARROW, Robin WILLIAMS and George BURNS (-6) with 18 holes to play on the Old Course.

Wormleighton produced the best Round 3 score, matching Callan Barrow’s 67 on the Old yesterday.

Scottish pair Liam WALDRON (-4) and Ruben LINDSAY (-2) moved up the leaderboard with morning rounds of 69 and 68 respectively.

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Round 3 Leaderboard (Graphic: St. Andrews Links / OCS Software)

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5th June 2021

Charlie THORNTON recorded a 71 in Round 2 on the Old Course to maintain his 1-shot lead on 137 (-7).

Richard KNIGHTLY matched the leader’s score to also stay in second place. He is now joined on 136 (-6) by Dubai-based Englishman Josh HILL who went out in 32 to post a 68.

There were six other 68’s in Round 2 of the St Andrews Links Trophy but the best rounds of the day were 67’s (-5) from Darren HOWIE and Callan Barrow. Howie’s highlight being a front nine 30 which included a hole-in-one on the 8th.

img_5219 Darren Howie’s Round 2 Scorecard (Graphic: St. Andrews Links / OCS Software)

Scotland’s Rory FRANSSEN and George BURNS are joined in tied 3rd by 2021 GB&I Walker Cup player Jack DYER on 139 (-5).

With 36 holes to play on Sunday there is clearly an opportunity for a player well down the leaderboard currently to come from well back to take the title.

50 players ultimately made the top 40 and ties 36-hole cut.

Here is a summary of the leading players and those that made the cut: –

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Round 2 Leading Scores (Graphic: St. Andrews Links / OCS Software)

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4th June 2021

Teeing off at 7.40am Yorkshire’s Charlie THORNTON produced seven birdies in his 66 (-6) on the Jubilee Course to secure the opening round lead at the 2021 St. Andrews Links Trophy.

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Charlie Thornton’s Round 1 Scorecard (Graphic: St. Andrews Links / OCS Software)

George GRIFFITHS, Richard KNIGHTLY and Matthew HIBBS all fired 67’s to finish the day tied for 2nd place, one shot back of our leader.

Griffiths enjoyed a particularly memorable round with a hole-in-one on the 17th.

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George Griffith’s Round 1 Scorecard (Graphic: St. Andrews Links / OCS Software)

Pre-Championship favourites Jack DYER (-4), Dan BRADBURY (-1), Arron EDWARD-HILL (-1) and Olly HUGGINS (Ev) are all well placed to mount an attack over the weekend.

Here is the top 25 leaderboard after Round 1: –

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Round 1 Leading Scores (Graphic: St. Andrews Links / OCS Software)

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2nd June 2021

144 golfers will tee off on Friday 4th June in the 32nd St. Andrews Links Trophy.

This event has become one of the ‘majors’ in men’s amateur golf helped by its venue and timing.

I will add the live score link to this article once it becomes available and provide daily reports on play over the weekend.

Competition Format

The Links Trophy is a 72 hole scratch stroke play competition played over the St. Andrews Links in early June.

The field is primarily determined by reference to the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) as at 29th April 2021 and finished off with various National Golf Union and St. Andrews Links Trust nominations.

This year Round 1 will be played on the Jubilee Course – sometimes the New Course is used – with Round 2 on the Old Course.

Following a top 40 and ties cut on Saturday the leading players will play a final 36 holes on the Old Course on Sunday.

The Jubilee Course plays 6,847 yards to a par of 72. The front nine is 3,257 yards long with a par of 36 whilst the tougher back nine is 333 yards longer but to the same par.

The Old Course has been set up at 7,201 yards for the event and has a par of 72. Both nines have a par of 36 and have similar yardages – the front is 3,555 yards long whilst the back is a little longer at 3,646 yards.

The winner will be the player who returns the lowest 72 hole aggregate score.

In the event of a tie a sudden death play-off will be held over holes 1 and 18 on the Old Course.

Ties for other places will be decided by the lowest score for the last 18 holes or the last 9 or 6 or 3 or 2 or 1 hole if necessary.

The Field

Click here to view the – 2021 St Andrews Links Trophy Rd 1 and Rd 2 Tee Times

Due to the early playing of the Walker Cup and COVID-19 travel restrictions the field is much weaker than has previously been seen.

Whereas we normally see over 20 countries represented only a handful of overseas players have been able to make the journey in 2021.

The impact of the R&A’s decision to agree to play the Walker Cup in early May is going to be seen very clearly in men’s amateur events this summer.

There are just 15 of the leading 30 GB&I players in today’s Scratch Players World Amateur Ranking (SPWAR) competing. This excludes the seven international class amateurs who have turned pro since the Walker Cup team was announced on 30th March. Extending the same analysis to the top of the current tree there are only 10 of the top 20 and just 3 of the top 10 playing in St. Andrews this week.

The highest ranked players in the SPWAR are Jack DYER (ENG) #75, Haider HUSSAIN (ENG) #114, Arron EDWARDS-HILL (ENG) #119, Dan BRADBURY (ENG) #125, Olly HUGGINS (ENG) #131, Callan BARROW (ENG) #144, winner of last week’s Scottish Open Men’s Championship, and Sam BAIRSTOW (ENG) #148.

The highest ranked Irish, Scottish and Welsh players are Marc BOUCHER #351, Calum SCOTT #404 and Matt ROBERTS #1,427.

Perhaps the most interesting entry is Paul HOWARD (ENG). Paul turned pro in March 2015 shortly after a successful tour of Australia where he won the New South Wales Amateur. He went on to win on the PGA EuroPro Tour in June 2015 and then the European Challenge Tour in August 2017. He has clearly now regained his amateur status and I assume must have received one of the nominations from either England Golf or the St. Andrews Links Trust as he currently has no ranking. Best wishes to Paul on his return to elite amateur competition.

Whilst it doesn’t overly affect the field quality it should be noted that most of the Irish players are staying at home to play in the Ulster Men’s Stroke Play Championship which starts on Monday 7th June at Royal County Down GC and that the Arnold Palmer Cup match starts on 11th June at Rich Harvest Farms in Illinois.

Weather Forecast (as at Wednesday 2nd June)

The current weather forecast looks great with a dry championship currently expected.

Friday 4th June – Sunny Intervals. Wind 12 mph SW. Temp. Min. 9°C / Max. 15°C.
Saturday 5th June – Sunny Intervals. Wind 11 mph SW. Temp. Min. 11°C / Max. 18°C.
Sunday 6th June – Sunny Intervals. Wind 13 mph W. Temp. Min. 10°C / Max. 17°C.

Tee times in Rounds 1 and 2 will start at 7.00am and end at 3.10pm so as with any links course the draw could play a part in proceedings.

Prizes

The winner receives The St Andrews Links Trophy, a commemorative medal and vouchers to the value of £500.

The runner-up and third place finisher also receive medals.

Reducing voucher prizes are awarded to the top 10 finishers in all.

In addition to the main prizes The Ian Forbes Memorial Cup is awarded for the best aggregate score on the first two days of the Championship.

2020 St. Andrews Links Trophy

The 2020 event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2019 St. Andrews Links Trophy

Jake BURNAGE (ENG) from Saunton G.C. won the 2019 St. Andrews Links Trophy.

Burnage recorded a 268 (-20) total and completed a memorable comeback, having started the final day 6 shots back of the 36-hole leader Matty LAMB (ENG), who ultimately had to settle for 2nd place on -19. Caolan RAFFERTY (IRL) finished 3rd on -17.

It was a surprise to many that the Devonian links specialist was subsequently overlooked for the GB&I Walker Cup team that played USA at Royal Liverpool G.C. just two months later.

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Jake Burnage and Family (Photo: Burnage Family)

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Final 2019 Results (Photo: St Andrews Links Trust / Intelligent Golf)

Click here to view the complete – 2019 St Andrews Links Trophy Results

Past Winners

Click here to view a full list of the – St Andrews Links Trophy Past Winners

Only Craig WATSON (1992 and 1998), the former GB&I Walker Cup captain, and Barclay HOWARD (1994 and 1996) have won the title twice.

The most famous winner is Justin ROSE who won in 1997.

Interestingly given the normally cosmopolitan nature of the fields the Links Trophy has only been won by players from outside GB&I on three occasions – Australia’s Stuart BOVIER (1990), Daan HUIZING from The Netherlands (2012) and Federico ZUCCHETTI from Italy (2015).

Huizing, who had won the 2012 Lytham Trophy by 11 shots just a few weeks earlier, set a scoring record of -23 in 2012 (65 New, 64, 68 and 67 all Old) and won by an astonishing 14 shots.

ME.

Copyright © 2014-2021, Mark Eley. All Rights Reserved.

Scottish Men’s Open Championship – 2021 Preview & Results

30th May 2021

Callan BARROW (ENG) shot rounds of 63, 67, 64 and 67 for a 261 (-15) total to win the Scottish Men’s Open Amateur Championship at Southerness G.C.

Barrow took control of the Championship with a 64 on Sunday morning; a round which included one eagle and seven birdies.

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Callan Barrow (Photo: Scottish Golf)

Barrow, a member of Royal Lytham & St Annes G.C., said in an interview with Scottish Golf “It’s been a good few years so to finally get a big win is amazing. The last three days have been incredible. My game’s been pretty solid. The putter has probably been the hottest thing in the bag which was needed round here.”

James WILSON (ENG) finished 2nd on -12, Stuart EASTON (SCO), who had taken a 1-shot lead into the final day, came in 3rd on -7 and Lewis IRVINE (SCO) and Haider HUSSAIN (ENG) tied 4th on -6.

Wilson’s 62 (-7) in Round 1 which included eight birdies proved to be the low round of the Championship.

Irvine, from Kirkhill G.C. had a final day to remember. Rounds of 64 (-5) and 66 (-3) saw him come from a long way back for a career best top 5 finish.

44 players made the 36 hole cut on Saturday evening which fell at 140 (+2). In form Arron EDWARDS-HILL (ENG) was the most notable player to miss out.

There were two holes in one recorded. Patrick KEELING (IRL) on the 15th in Round 1 and Joe HARVEY (ENG) on the 17th in Round 3 took the happy memories away from Dumfrieshire.

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Final Results (Graphic: Scottish Golf)

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24th May 2021

The 54th Scottish Men’s Open Stroke Play Championship starts on Friday 28th May at Southerness Golf Club in Dumfries.

This is the first major British or Irish amateur championship in 2021.

Due to COVID-19 protocols no caddies or spectators will be allowed on site.

Format

This open amateur competition consists of 72 holes of stroke play.

18 holes will be played on both Friday 28th and Saturday 29th May.

A 36 hole cut will then take place with only the leading 40 competitors and ties qualifying for the final two rounds which will be played on Sunday 30th May.

In the event of a tie for the Championship there will be a sudden death play off. All other ties will be resolved via card count back.

Field

144 competitors will start the 2021 Championship.

The Championship is returning to its traditional late May / early June time slot following a misguided move in 2018 and 2019 to late August which led to a noticeable drop off in field quality.

However, the impact of ongoing COVID-19 travel restrictions and the early Walker Cup means that Scottish Golf are not going to see a material uplift in the standard of the field this year. The former means few foreign players have entered. The latter has pushed back the US College schedule and changed the priorities of many leading GB&I players. The NCAA National Championships are now being played in Arizona directly opposite this event. The fact the Walker Cup has already been played also means that many GB&I players have already turned pro or are planning to do so shortly so have no motivation to play.

Additionally, the Irish Challenge event on the European Challenge Tour is being played at Portmarnock Links between 27-30 May which has drawn a number of the leading Irish amateurs.

Jake DYER ENG (SPWAR #73) is the highest ranked player and only GB&I Walker Cupper competing at Southerness.

The standout names in this year’s field are all English – Sam BAIRSTOW (#165), Callan BARROW (#206), Jack BROOKS (#252), Jack COPE (#230), Arron EDWARDS-HILL (#111), Joe HARVEY (#232), Olly HUGGINS (#128) and Haider HUSSAIN (#140).

Jack Brooks, the world’s most active amateur golfer, is preparing for the Championship as only he knows how – by playing in the 72-hole Lagonda Trophy at Gog Magog GC in Cambridgeshire on Wednesday and Thursday. He will finish up around 6.30pm before travelling the 312 miles up to Dumfrieshire. He tees off at 1.10pm on Friday afternoon.

The highest ranked Irish, Scottish and Welsh players competing are Hugh FOLEY (#717), Calum SCOTT (#397) and Luke HARRIES (#2,028).

Tee Times and Scores

Click here to view the – 2021 Scottish Men’s Open Championship Tee Times / Scores

Southerness Golf Club

Southerness is a flat links course set on the Solway Coast near Dumfries in the south west corner of Scotland.

It was designed by Philip Mackenzie Ross and laid out by Messrs. Sutton and Sons of Reading in 1946. The Club is therefore celebrating its 75th anniversary this year.

The championship tees enable the par 69 course to be stretched to a demanding 6,728 yards.

A number of prestigious amateur Championships have been staged on the course over the years. It has previously hosted the Scottish Amateur Open Stroke Play in 2002 and 2013 with Barry Hume and Garrick Porteous coming out on top in those years.

The Club have posted a nice aerial video on their website ahead of the Championship which gives a good feel for the examination that awaits the players this week.

Prizes

The Winner receives the distinctive Championship Trophy and a silver gilt medal.

Silver and bronze medals are also awarded to the runner-up and third place finisher(s).

Weather Forecast

The weather forecast is reasonably good. Whilst there is likely to be little sun the players will be pleased to see the winds are forecast to be weak throughout the weekend.

Fri 28th May – Light Rain / Wind 8 mph S / Temp. Min. 9°C / Max. 13°C,
Sat 29th May – Light Cloud /  Wind 7 mph S / Temp. Min. 9°C /Max. 17°C
Sun 30th May – Sunny Intervals / Wind 9 mph SE / Temp. Min. 11°C / Max. 19°C

Rounds 1 and 2 will see players tee off the 1st from 7.00am right through until 3.20pm.

2020 Results

The 2020 Scottish Men’s Open Championship was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2019 Results

Jake BOLTON (ENG) won the 2019 Championship at The Duke’s Course in St. Andrews with a 272 (-12) total.

Jake shot rounds of 64, 68, 76 and 64 to secure the title by 1-shot. His final round included birdies on 16 and 18.

Sam BAIRSTOW (ENG) finished 2nd on -11, Matthew CLARK (SCO) -8 3rd and Ben HUTCHINSON (ENG) -7 4th.

img_1793.jpg Jake Bolton (Photo: Mark Bolton)

Click here to view the full – 2019 Scottish Men’s Open Championship Results

Past Winners

The Scottish Men’s Open Amateur was first contested in 1967 and has an impressive list of past winners. Here are some of them: –

2011 – Andy Sullivan (ENG)
2009 – Tommy Fleetwood (ENG)
2004 – Richie Ramsay (SCO)
2003 – Gary Wolstenholme (ENG)
1997 – Barclay Howard (SCO)
1996 – Alastair Forsyth (SCO)
1995 – Stephen Gallacher (SCO)
1992 – Dean Robertson (SCO)
1991 – Andrew Coltart (SCO)
1985 – Colin Montgomerie (SCO)
1981 – Philip Walton (IRE)
1980 – Gordon Brand Jr (ENG)
1975 and 1984 – Charlie Green (SCO)
1971, 1974 and 1979 – Ian Hutcheon (SCO)
1970 – Dale Hayes (RSA)
1968 – Ronnie Shade (SCO)
1967 – Bernard Gallacher (SCO)

A full list of the past winners can be viewed here – Scottish Open Amateur Winners

ME.

Copyright © 2014-2021, Mark Eley. All rights reserved.

NCAA Division I Men’s National Championship – 2021 Preview & Results

2nd June 2021

Pepperdine University beat Oklahoma University 3-2 at the Greyhawk Golf Club in Arizona to win the 2021 NCAA Division I National title.

It was the second time in their history that the Malibu, California based team had lifted the National Championship trophy. They previously won in 1997.

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Pepperdine Team and Coaches (Photo: Pepperdine Men’s Golf Team)

Every player on the Pepperdine team delivered at least one win and one half during the match play stage. However, the stars for the Waves were Clay FEAGLER, a fifth year senior, and junior Joe HIGHSMITH who both won all three of their games.

The team line up also included sophomore Dylan MENANTE, sophomore William MOUW and senior Joey VRZICH.

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Championship Results (Graphic: Golfstat)

Pepperdine had earlier finished 3rd in the stroke play stage of the competition with Oklahoma coming in 4th.

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1st June 2021 PM

The afternoon semi-finals saw two minor upsets with Pepperdine and Oklahoma battling through to the Final.

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Semi-Final Results (Graphic: Golfstat)

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1st June 2021 AM

In line with the stroke play seedings Oklahoma State, Pepperdine, Arizona State and Oklahoma all came through their Quarter Final matches without too much trouble.

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Quarter Final Results (Graphic: Golfstat)

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31st May 2021

With rounds of 68, 67, 68 and 70 (-7) Turk PETTIT of Clemson University won the NCAA Division I Individual Championship.

He finished 1 shot ahead of Bo JIN who was representing Oklahoma State with Ryggs JOHNSTON from Arizona State a further shot back.

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Turk Pettit (Photo: NCAA)

Alex FITZPATRICK was GB&I’s highest finisher. A final round 76 saw him have to settle for a +9 total and a tied 39th finish.

After a poor opening round of 78 John MURPHY settled well. His final +11 total was good enough for a tied 52nd.

Here are the leading Individual scores: –

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Leading Individual Results (Graphic: Golfstat)

In the Team competition Georgia Tech (+1) beat TCU (+4) in the 54-hole team play-off to start the day off.

From a GB&I perspective it was a disappointing day as both Louisville and Wake Forest missed out on the match play stage, thus ending our interest in the Championship.

Wake Forest had a disastrous final day recording a +23 score which saw them tumble down the rankings.

Arizona State, Oklahoma State, Pepperdine, Oklahoma, Illinois, Florida State, Vanderbilt and North Carolina were the eight teams to advance to the match play stage.

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30th May 2021

The 54 hole first cut saw the top 15 teams and nine individuals not on those teams progress to the final 18 holes of stroke-play.

Alex FITZPATRICK (ENG) and Mark POWER (IRL) helped their Wake Forest team through to the next stage in tied 6th place on +13. In the individual standings Alex +3 is tied 22nd and Mark +8 tied 56th.

Louisville proved to be one of the surprise packages finishing the first stage of the Championship in 12th place on +24. John MURPHY (IRL) +9 is tied 67th. After an opening round 78 Max KENNEDY (IRL) was dropped with Dev MORLEY (IRL) coming in to replace him. Dev posted a counting 74 in round 2 and a 76 in round 3.

Georgia Tech and TCU will play-off [5-from-5 scores to count playing holes 14-18 concurrently] to determine the final team progressing to round 4.

The final round of stroke play will be played on Monday 31st to establish the eight teams that will progress to match play as well as the Individual champion.

To date play has proven much easier in the morning with the course firming up as the temperatures reach the high 90’s in the afternoon.

Here are the 54 hole Team results: –

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Team Scores (Graphic: Golfstat)

Day 3 was as far as it went for the following GB&I players and their teams.

Rhys NEVIN-WHARTON +11 finished T90 as his Tennessee team missed out on a play-off for the final stroke-play day by just 1-shot.

Joe PAGDIN +15 finished tied 115th with his Florida team coming in 22nd.

Toby BRIGGS +15 also finished tied 115th as his San Francisco team finished in 29th place.

Archie DAVIES +18 finished tied 130th with East Tennessee State ending their Championship in 28th place. Despite his team under performing Head Coach Jake Amos chose not to play Ben CARBERRY in any of the rounds.

Callum BRUCE +21 finished tied 139th as San Diego State failed to progress in tied 25th place.

University of Texas were the highest ranked team to crash out after the first stage. They were not helped when one of their star men Pierceson Coody became ill after his first round and was unable to play on the subsequent two days.

Bo JIN -9 from Oklahoma State leads Turk PETTIT -7 of Clemson in the Individual competition.

Here are the leading 54-hole Individual Scores: –

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Leading Individual Scores (Graphic: Golfstat)

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24th May 2021

The 2021 NCAA Division I Men’s National Championship starts on Friday 28th May at Greyhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona with Arizona State University hosting this year’s competition.

Greyhawk has just finished hosting the Women’s NCAA Division I Championship. The set up proved to be demanding with few players finishing under par.

30 5-man teams and 6 individuals not on those teams qualified to play through six Regional events played on 17th – 19th May. To learn more about these please read my earlier article – NCAA Division I Men’s Regionals – 2021 Preview & Results

Stanford, the last champions in 2019, failed to progress through their Regional event at Albuquerque. They were not helped when two of their leading players, Barclay Brown (ENG) and Henry Shrimp (USA), failed COVID-19 tests on the eve of the competition and were forced to withdrawal from the Cardinals line-up.

At the National Championship 54 holes of stroke play will be played on 28-30 May. A cut will then take place which will see the top 15 teams and nine individuals not on those teams play a final 18 holes on 31 May. After 72 holes an Individual champion is crowned with the leading 8 teams progressing to a match play stage. Seeded match play will then take place on 1-2 June and will be used determine the Team national champions.

Team scores in the stroke play stage are based on a best four from five players cumulative total.

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There are nine GB&I players competing this year – Toby BRIGGS (San Francisco), Callum BRUCE (San Diego State), Archie DAVIES (East Tennessee State), Alex FITZPATRICK (Wake Forest), Max KENNEDY (Louisville), John MURPHY (Louisville), Rhys NEVIN-WHARTON (Tennessee), Joe PAGDIN (Florida) and Mark POWER (Wake Forest).

Ben CARBERRY (East Tennessee State) and Dev MORLEY (Louisville) have also been selected as No. 6 substitute players for their respective teams so may see some action. Substitutes can be used by coaches in both the stroke play and match play stages of the Championship to cover injuries and loss of form.

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Here is a list of the competing teams and individuals, along with their Regional site result in brackets: –

TEAMS
Arizona State (Albuquerque T2)
Arkansas (Kingston Springs 2nd)
Clemson (Kingston Springs T4)
East Tennessee State (Cre Elum 1st)
Florida (Cre Elum 5th)
Florida State (Tallahassee 1st)
Georgia (Tallahassee 2nd)
Georgia Tech (Tallahassee 3rd)
Illinois (Stillwater 2nd)
Liberty (Tallahassee 4th)
Little Rock (Stillwater 5th)
Louisville (Noblesville 4th)
North Carolina (Noblesville T2)
North Carolina State (Kingston Springs T4)
Oklahoma (Albuquerque 4th)
Oklahoma State (Stillwater 1st)
Oregon State (Albuquerque T2)
Pepperdine (Cre Elum 4th)
Sam Houston State (Stillwater 4th)
San Diego (Albuquerque 15th)
San Diego State (Kingston Springs 3rd)
San Francisco (Cre Elum 2nd)
SMU (Stillwater 3rd)
Tennessee (Noblesville T2)
Texas (Noblesville 1st)
Texas Tech (Albuquerque 1st)
TCU (Tallahassee 5th)
UAB (Noblesville 5th)
Vanderbilt (Kingston Springs 1st)
Wake Forest (Cre Elum 3rd)

INDIVIDUALS
Cole Bradley – Purdue (Noblesville 1st)
Ryan Hall – South Carolina (Albuquerque 1st)
Tristan Mandur – Utah (Cre Elum T4)
AJ Ott – Colorado State (Stillwater T3)
James Piot – Michigan State (Kingston Springs T4)
Michael Sakane – Jacksonville (Tallahassee 2nd)

Florida State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Clemson, Texas and North Carolina are considered the favourites to win the 2021 National Championship.

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Weather Forecast

Unsurprisingly the weather forecast for Scottsdale, Arizona is perfect. Perhaps a little warm for the GB&I players.

Fri 28th May – Sunny / Wind 8 mph W / Temp. Min. 21°C / Max. 38°C,
Sat 29th May – Sunny / Wind 9 mph W  / Temp. Min. 22°C / Max. 37°C
Sun 30th May – Sunny / Wind 9 mph W / Temp. Min. 23°C / Max. 37°C
Mon 31st May – Sunny / Wind 8 mph W / Temp. Min. 23°C / Max. 37°C
Tue 1st Jun – Sunny / Wind 8 mph W / Temp. Min. 23°C / Max. 37°C
Wed 2nd Jun – Sunny / Wind 9 mph W / Temp. Min. 24°C / Max. 39°C

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Click these links to view the – GOLFSTAT STROKE PLAY RESULTS – TEAM and INDIVIDUAL

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2020 Results

The 2020 NCAA Division 1 National Championship was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2019 Results

Stanford beat Texas 3-2-0 in the 2019 NCAA Division I National Championship match at Blessings G.C. in Arkansas to secure their 9th national title.

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The Stanford Team (Photo: Jack Dempsey NCAA Photos)

Matthew WOLFF (USA) of Oklahoma State won the Individual 2019 NCAA Division I National title. His 278 (-10) total was 5 shots better than second placed Steven FISK (USA).

Just 5 players from the field of 156 recorded an under par score over the 72 holes.

Alex FITZPATRICK (ENG) finished tied 15th in the Individual stroke play standings. Consistent rounds of 75, 73, 72 and 72 saw him post a +4 total. His Wake Forest team lost 3-2-0 to Stanford in the quarter finals of the match play stage, albeit freshman Fitzpatrick won his single beating Junior Henry Shimp by 1 hole.

Harry HALL (ENG), John MURPHY (IRL) and Dev MORLEY (IRL) were the three other GB&I players competing in Arkansas.

Cornishman Hall posted a 54-hole total of 222 (+6) to finish tied 34th. His UNLV team finished on 906 (+42) in tied 20th place and he failed to pick up one of the leading Individual spots.

The two Irishmen were further down the field. John MURPHY (IRL) +17 finished tied 110th and Dev MORLEY (IRE) +18 tied 119th. Their Louisville team were 29th on 932 (+68).

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Matthew Wolff (Photo: Jack Dempsey NCAA Photos)

Click these links to view the – GOLFSTAT STROKE PLAY RESULTS – TEAM and INDIVIDUAL

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Copyright © 2014-2021, Mark Eley. All rights reserved.

NCAA Division I Men’s Regionals – 2021 Preview & Results

Updated 19th May 2021

The 54-hole NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Regional Championships were played on 17th-19th May.

The NCAA Committee selected the participating teams and leading individuals, from non-qualifying teams, largely based on the GolfStat U.S. College 2020/21 Men’s Division I Rankings which can be viewed here – Team and Individual

The teams and individuals were seeded and spread across the Regional sites to ensure each field was broadly of equal standing.

Three of the sites had 13 teams and 10 individuals competing, while three had 14 teams and five individuals. There were 81 teams and 45 individuals playing in total.

Looking at the Individual GolfStat Rankings on 5th May 2021 there were 11 Great British and Irish players in the Top 200. These were Alex FITZPATRICK (3), Joe PAGDIN (68), Mark POWER (69), Barclay BROWN (104), Daniel O’LOUGHLIN (105), Angus FLANAGAN (113), Archie DAVIES (117), Callum BRUCE (177), John GOUGH (178), Rhys NEVIN-WHARTON (185) and John MURPHY (193).

The low five teams (30 in total) and the low individual (6 in total) not on those teams from each Regional advanced to the National Championships.

The 2021 National Team and Individual titles will be decided on 28th May – 2nd June at Greyhawk G.C., Scottsdale, Arizona with Arizona State University hosting this year’s Championship.

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Each team is listed below in seed order so it is clear who the favourites were to progress from each Regional. After the College or University name you will also find the Team’s Golfweek / Sagarin national ranking and if they earned automatic qualification the Conference Championship they won to do so.

A number of GB&I players competed in the Regional Championships. All of them are shown below in bold type.

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Here is a summary of each Regionals results with links to the full Golfstat scores: –

Championship Course, UNM – ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico
Hosted by the University of New Mexico / 7,555 yards Par 72 / SPWAR Field Ranking 1st

GOLFSTAT RESULTS – TEAM and INDIVIDUAL

TEAM QUALIFIERS: 1st Texas Tech (-26), T2 Arizona State (-16), T2 Oregon State (-16), 4th Oklahoma (-13), 5th San Diego (-12)

No. 1 seeds Oklahoma started the final day in 9th five shots back of 5th place but thankfully came through to progress. Texas A&M and New Mexico were the two highest ranked teams in the field to fall at this stage.

INDIVIDUAL QUALIFIERS: 1st Ryan Hall (-11) South Carolina

INDIVIDUAL WINNER: Ryan Hall (-11) South Carolina

Teams (seeded in the following order):

  1. Oklahoma (1)
  2. Arizona State (9)
  3. Texas A&M (14)
  4. Texas Tech (15) – Sandy SCOTT N/S
  5. New Mexico (29 / Mountain West)
  6. Stanford (34) – Barclay BROWN N/S
  7. Oregon State (48)
  8. Boise State (56)
  9. South Carolina (31)
  10. Nevada (68)
  11. San Diego (63)
  12. New Mexico State (151 / WAC)
  13. Oakland (163) – Chris HANDY +9 T58 / Oakland (+36) 13th 
  14. Prairie View A&M (268 / Southwestern)

Individuals:

  1. Tommy Stephenson, Fresno State
  2. Daniel O’LOUGHLIN, Colorado +6 T51
  3. Blake Hathcoat, Saint Mary’s CA
  4. Gavin Cohen, Loyola-Marymount
  5. Riley Lewis, Loyola-Marymount

Tumble Creek Club – CRE ELUM, Washington
Hosted by the University of Washington / 7,069 yards Par 71 / SPWAR Field Ranking 4th

GOLFSTAT RESULTS – TEAM and INDIVIDUAL

TEAM QUALIFIERS: 1st East Tennessee State (-14), 2nd San Francisco (-4), 3rd Wake Forest (-2), 4th Pepperdine (-1), 5th Florida (+6)

East Tennessee State, led by medalist Shiso Go and T4 placed Welshman Archie Davies, made the headlines at Cle Elum picking up all of the trophies despite supposedly being only the 8th strongest team on site. Having traversed the hole of America to get to the Washington Regional Florida thankfully scraped home on the final day reeling in a 6-shot deficit in Round 3 over the closing holes as Denver buckled under the pressure. Alex Fitzpatrick finished T2 confirming his current status as GB&I’s beat amateur golfer.  

INDIVIDUAL QUALIFIERS: T4 Tristan Mandur (-6) Utah

INDIVIDUAL WINNER: Shiso Go (-8) East Tennessee State

Teams (seeded in the following order):

  1. Wake Forest (8) – Alex FITZPATRICK -7 T2, Mark POWER +3 T19 / Wake Forest (-2) 3rd 
  2. Pepperdine (5 / WCC)
  3. Florida (21) – Joe PAGDIN +7 T39 / Florida +6 5th
  4. Arizona (16 / PAC-12)
  5. San Francisco (24) – Toby BRIGGS +7 T39 / San Francisco (-4) 2nd
  6. Iowa (35) – Callum MACFIE N/S, Jake ROWE (Rd 3 Only) 
  7. Washington (51)
  8. East Tennessee State (45 / Southern) – Archie DAVIES -6 T4 / East Tennessee State (-14) 1st
  9. Utah (60)
  10. Oregon (58)
  11. Mississippi State (43)
  12. Long Beach State (84 / Big West)
  13. Denver (96 / Summit)
  14. Sacramento State (146 / Big Sky)

Individuals:

  1. Carson Lundell, BYU
  2. Matt McCarty, Santa Clara
  3. Jack Trent, UNLV
  4. Jake Vincent, Southern Utah
  5. Gabe Lysen, Utah Valley

Golf Club of Tennessee – KINGSTON SPRINGS, Tennessee
Hosted by Vanderbilt University / 7,107 yards Par 71 / SPWAR Field Ranking 6th

GOLFSTAT RESULTS – TEAM and INDIVIDUAL

TEAM QUALIFIERS: 1st Vanderbilt (-18), 2nd Arkansas (-7), 3rd San Diego State (-5), T4 North Carolina State (-3), T4 Clemson (-3)

There were no surprises in Tennessee as the five most highly ranked teams all progressed. Charlotte (-1) were 2-shots back of displacing NC State and / or Clemson.

INDIVIDUAL QUALIFIERS: T4 James Piot (-5) Michigan State

INDIVIDUAL WINNER: Puwit Anupansuebsai (-8) San Diego State

Teams (seeded in the following order):

  1. Clemson (3 / ACC)
  2. NC State (10)
  3. Vanderbilt (13 / SEC)
  4. Arkansas (22)
  5. San Diego State (25) – Callum BRUCE +4 T37 / San Diego State (-5) 3rd
  6. Virginia (44)
  7. Charlotte (46) – John GOUGH +6 T42 / Charlotte (-1) 6th 
  8. Kent State (50 / MAC)
  9. UTSA (57)
  10. Houston (52)
  11. Loyola-Maryland (116 / Patriot League)
  12. UConn (135 / Big East)
  13. Iona (247 / Metro Atlantic) – Oisin DEVERUEX +17 T64 / Iona (+81) 13th

Individuals:

  1. James Piot, Michigan State
  2. Ben van Wyk, Augusta
  3. Evan Davis, Belmont
  4. Van Holmgren, Florida Gulf Coast
  5. Christopher Gotterup, Rutgers
  6. Hunter Eichhorn, Marquette
  7. Brandon Einstein, High Point
  8. Hunter Fry, USC Upstate
  9. Timothius Tamardi, Appalachian State
  10. Austin Devereux, Rider

NCAA Logo

Sagamore Golf Club – NOBLESVILLE, Indiana
Hosted by Ball State / 7,173 yards Par 72 / SPWAR Field Ranking 3rd

GOLFSTAT RESULTS – TEAM and INDIVIDUAL

TEAM QUALIFIERS: 1st Texas (-20), T2 Tennessee (-15), T2 North Carolina (-15), 4th Louisville (-10), 5th UAB (-5)

UAB came from 7-shots back heading into the final round to secure the 5th qualifying place. North Florida and to a lesser degree South Florida were the two most notable teams to miss out in Indiana.  

INDIVIDUAL QUALIFIERS: 1st Cole Bradley (-10) Purdue

INDIVIDUAL WINNER: Cole Bradley (-10) Purdue

Teams (seeded in the following order):

  1. Texas (6)
  2. North Carolina (7)
  3. Tennessee (18) – Rhys NEVIN-WHARTON +2 T31 / Tennessee (-15) 2nd 
  4. North Florida (23)
  5. Louisville (32) – Max KENNEDY +1 T26John MURPHY +5 T42, Dev MORLEY N/S, Hugh O’HARE N/S /  Louisville (-10) 4th
  6. South Florida (36 / AAC)
  7. UAB (38)
  8. Duke (41)
  9. UNC Wilmington (49)
  10. Arkansas State (40) – Jack MADDEN N/S
  11. Campbell (92 / Big South)
  12. UT Martin (147 / Ohio Valley)
  13. Loyola Chicago (198 / Missouri Valley)

Individuals:

  1. Ross Steelman, Missouri
  2. Angus FLANAGAN, Minnesota +4 T38 
  3. Joe Weiler, Purdue
  4. Mark Goetz, West Virginia
  5. Zack Taylor, Coastal Carolina
  6. Alex Goff, Kentucky
  7. Cole Bradley, Purdue
  8. Michael Cascino, Butler
  9. Henry May, Dayton

Karsten Creek Golf Club – STILLWATER, Oklahoma
Hosted by Oklahoma State University / 7,502 yards Par 72 / SPWAR Field Ranking 2nd

GOLFSTAT RESULTS – TEAM and INDIVIDUAL

TEAM QUALIFIERS: 1st Oklahoma State (-28), 2nd Illinois (-14), 3rd SMU (Ev), 4th Sam Houston State (+11), 5th Little Rock (+15)

Sam Houston State and unseeded Little Rock outperformed to knock out the more highly rated colleges Auburn, Notre Dame, Alabama and Baylor. It is the first time Sam Houston State and Little Rock have qualified for the Nationals.

INDIVIDUAL QUALIFIERS: T3 AJ Ott (-5) Colorado State

INDIVIDUAL WINNER: Noah Goodwin (-15) SMU

Teams (seeded in the following order):

  1. Oklahoma State (4 / Big 12)
  2. Illinois (11 / Big Ten)
  3. Auburn (17)
  4. SMU (20)
  5. Notre Dame (33)
  6. Alabama (28)
  7. Baylor (30)
  8. Sam Houston State (65 / Southland)
  9. Little Rock (54)
  10. Ole Miss (39)
  11. Northwestern (66) – Eric MCINTOSH +2 T16 / Northwestern +25 9th
  12. College of Charleston (79 / CAA)
  13. Middle Tennessee State (86 / Conference USA)

Individuals:

  1. Devon Bling, UCLA
  2. Mark Lawrence, Jr., Virginia Tech
  3. Vicente Marzilio, North Texas
  4. Lachlan Barker, Iowa State
  5. A.J. Ott, Colorado State
  6. Tim Tillmanns, Kansas State
  7. Guillaume Fanonnel, ULM
  8. Lucas Carper, UC Davis
  9. Jack Howes, Oral Roberts

Golden Eagle Golf & Country Club – TALLAHASSEE, Florida
Hosted by Florida State / 7,505 yards Par 72 / SPWAR Field Ranking 5th

GOLFSTAT RESULTS – TEAM and INDIVIDUAL

TEAM QUALIFIERS: 1st Florida State (-34), 2nd Georgia (-17), 3rd Georgia Tech (-16), 4th Liberty (-15), 5th TCU (-9)

LSU and Georgia Southern were the big losers at Tallahassee with an inexperienced TCU team containing four sophomores and one freshman playing their was into the finals.

INDIVIDUAL QUALIFIERS: 2nd Michael Sakane (-13) Jacksonville

INDIVIDUAL WINNER: Davis Thompson (-14) Georgia

Thompson also picked up medalist honours at Georgia’s 2019 Regional.

Teams (seeded in the following order):

  1. Florida State (2) – Jamie LI N/S
  2. Georgia (12)
  3. Liberty (19 / Atlantic Sun)
  4. LSU (27)
  5. Georgia Tech (26)
  6. Georgia Southern (42 / Sun Belt)
  7. TCU (37)
  8. Indiana (53)
  9. Kansas (47)
  10. Southern California (59)
  11. Ohio State (55)
  12. Davidson (125 / Atlantic 10)
  13. Florida A&M (176 / Mid-Eastern)
  14. LIU (246 / Northeast)

Individuals:

  1. Keller Harper, Furman
  2. Johnny Travale, Central Florida
  3. Michael Sakane, Jacksonville
  4. Enrique DIMAYUGA, Florida Atlantic +1 T38
  5. Saptak Talwar, Sacred Heart

N/S = Not Selected

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The 2020 NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Championships were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 2019 NCAA Division I Men’s Championship was played at Blessings Golf Club in Fayetteville, Arkansas with The University of Arkansas hosting the competition.

STANFORD UNIVERSITY beat University of Texas 3-2-0 in the 2019 NCAA Division I Championship match to secure their 9th national title.

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The Stanford Team (Photo: Jack Dempsey NCAA Photos)

Matthew WOLFF (USA) of Oklahoma State won the Individual NCAA Division I National title. His 278 (-10) total was 5 shots better than second placed Steven FISK (USA) during the 72 hole stroke play qualifying.

Click these links to view the – 2019 GOLFSTAT STROKE PLAY RESULTS – TEAM and INDIVIDUAL

Click this link to view the – 2019 GOLFSTAT MATCH PLAY RESULTS – TEAM

ME.

Copyright © 2014-2021, Mark Eley. All rights reserved.

The Masters – 2021 Amateur Preview & Results

Sunday 11th April 2021

Hideki MATSUYAMA (JAP) won the 2021 Masters Tournament with a 278 (-10) total.

Hideki Matsuyama  (Photo: The Masters)

The Masters reflected his journey to the title in a nice tweet which highlighted his two Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship titles in 2010 and 2011 to qualify for the tournament, his Silver Cup low amateur win in 2011 and finally the life changing first major victory today.  

Matsuyama became just the seventh player to win both the Silver Cup and The Masters tournament itself, joining Cary MIDDLECOFFJack NICKLAUS, Ben CRENSHAW, Tiger WOODS, Phil MICKELSON and Sergio GARCIA in a select group.

The prize money for finishing first this year at Augusta National was £2,070,000.

2017 Walker Cup players Will ZALATORIS (USA) -9 finished 2nd and Robert MACINTYRE (SCO) -2 tied 12th. They earned $1,242,000 and $264,500 respectively and also secured their places in the 2022 Masters. 

The 2021 Masters Results (Graphic: The Masters)

Click here to view the full – 2021 Masters Results

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Saturday 10th April 2021

Hideki MATSUYAMA (JAP) moved into a four shot lead on -11 after a superb 65 in Round 3 which saw him come home in just 30 shots. His bogey free round included one eagle and five birdies.

Playing in his tenth Masters the Japanese star now has a great chance to become Asia’s first male major champion.

There would be a nice symmetry if he can come through tomorrow as his compatriot 17 year old Tsubasa Kajitani won the 2nd Augusta National Women’s Amateur last week.

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Hideki Matsuyama Receives The Silver Cup In 2011 (Photo: The Masters) 

Heading into tomorrow’s final round Xander SCHAUFFELE (USA), Mark LEISHMAN (AUS), Justin ROSE (ENG) and Will ZALATORIS (USA) are his nearest challengers on -7.

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Friday 9th April 2021

Sadly no amateur made the cut at the 2021 Masters and therefore the Silver Cup will not be awarded on Sunday. It is the first time since 2015 that an amateur has not completed the 72 holes.

Ollie OSBORNE (USA) shot his second successive 76 to finish tied 74th on 152 (+8), the best of the three amateurs in the field. His three birdies today were offset by seven bogeys. Ollie was a little unlucky with his tee shots on the 6th and 16th but a couple of pulled drives late on simply left him too much to do. The SMU college golfer had another good day but will no doubt be disappointed with his finish. 

Screenshot 2021-04-09 at 21.08.19

Ollie Osborne’s 36 Hole Scorecard (Graphic: The Masters) 

Click here to watch every shot of – Ollie Osborne’s Round 2

Joe LONG (ENG) produced the lowest round by an amateur at this year’s Masters in Round 2 with a very accomplished 72 (Ev). His 154 (+10) total saw him finish in 80th place. The highlights were his three consecutive birdies on the back nine. He hit the 13th and 15th greens in two and had tap-in birdies on both of these famous par 5’s. Just like yesterday he finished with a superb approach into the 18th but was unable to convert his 4 foot birdie putt. James Sugrue’s 71 last November therefore remains the sole under par round by a GB&I amateur in Masters history.  

Joe Long’s 36 Hole Scorecard (Graphic: The Masters) 

Click here to watch every shot of – Joe Long’s Round 2

U.S. Amateur champion Tyler STRAFACI (USA) struggled on Friday and finished 86th, last of the three amateurs. His 81 included one double bogey and eight bogeys. The highlight was his birdie on 14 where he holed a huge 25 yard putt from just off the front of the green.

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Tyler Strafaci’s 36 Hole Scorecard (Graphic: The Masters) 

Click here to watch every shot of – Tyler Strafaci’s Round 2

Justin ROSE (ENG) recovered from another slow start to shoot an even par 72 in Round 2 and retain his lead on -7. His 18 hole 4-shot lead is now down to one though with Will ZALATORIS (USA) and Brian HARMAN (USA) in tied 2nd on -6.

The Top 50 and Ties cut fell at +3 with 54 players making the weekend.

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Thursday 8th April 2021

Ollie OSBORNE (USA), the least heralded of the three amateurs in the field, shone brightest on the opening day at Augusta National G.C. The course played firm and fast and the wind swirled through the pines making for a tough test.

Osborne’s 76 (+4) saw him finish the day in tied 60th. The big hitting SMU player produced a tidy round with no big errors which were the downfall of his competitors for the Silver Cup. His bonus came via nice putts for birdies on the par 5 8th and 15th which gave him some additional breathing space.

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Ollie Osborne’s Round 1 Scorecard (Graphic: The Masters) 

Click here to watch every shot of – Ollie Osborne’s Round 1 (select Round 1 tab)

Tyler STRAFACI (USA) played better than his 80 (+8) paying a heavy price for two mistakes which ended up costing him 5-shots. He’ll start Day 2 in 84th place. Firstly an aggressive approach to the 9th left him over the back with no shot to a green which sloped severely away from him. Then three holes later his tee shot to the notorious par 3 12th came up short finding the lake.   

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Tyler Strafaci’s Round 1 Scorecard (Graphic: The Masters) 

Click here to watch every shot of – Tyler Strafaci’s Round 1 (select Round 1 tab)

Joe LONG (ENG) shot an 82 (+10) in Round 1 to finish the day in tied 86th place. The Bristolian made a solid start but a pushed drive into the trees on the 5th cost him a triple-bogey and entering a tough run of holes he was unable to get back on track. The back nine saw an improvement with five pars and a birdie. Having struggled down the 13th he produced a great chip over Rae’s Creek to escape with just a bogey. However, the 17th will have disappointed the Amateur champion – three putts from 4ft saw him leave the green with a 6 when a 4 had looked likely. Nevertheless this time he bounced back well on 18 with a birdie. A great drive round the left-to-right dog leg set up a mid-iron which finished dead having lipped out for eagle.   

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Joe Long’s Round 1 Scorecard (Graphic: The Masters) 

Click here to watch every shot of – Joe Long’s Round 1 (select Round 1 tab)

Justin ROSE (ENG) leads the 2021 Masters by 4-shots after his 65 (-7) in Round 1. Rose was 9-under for his final 11 holes after a slow start which had seen him record bogeys on the 1st and 7th. Brian HARMAN (USA) and Hideki MATSUYAMA (JAP) lead the chasing pack after 69’s (-3).

ME.

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7th April 2021

The 85th Masters will take place at Augusta National G.C. this week between 8th-11th April.

The field is a little lower than normal with just 88 players competing.

One of the reasons for this is that there are only three amateurs playing in 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic saw the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, Latin America Amateur Championship and U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship cancelled in 2020 so the three places traditionally allocated to their winners were not required this year.

As with last year’s Masters, played later than normal in November, there will only be a limited number of patrons on site due to COVID-19. This will hopefully help the amateurs to settle more quickly in to their famous surroundings when play gets underway.

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The 2021 Masters Journal

2021 Amateur Player Biographies

The legacy of Bobby Jones, the founder of the tournament and a lifelong amateur (at least during his competitive years), means The Masters has always found a place for the leading amateur players.

This year’s intake will take the total number of amateurs to have participated to 441.

The three Amateurs competing at The Masters are : –

JOE LONG (England) – winner of the 2020 Amateur Championship (Cat. 8 exemption). One of ten Englishmen in the field Long, 23 from Bristol, qualified after beating compatriot Joe Harvey in the Amateur Championship final at Royal Birkdale G.C. His victory also earned him automatic selection for the GB&I Walker Cup team. Joe picked up an injury whilst surfing in February but is confident he has fully recovered. This will be his first major appearance as well as his first competitive outing in USA. Caddie – John Chance (local). Current SPWAR #35 / WAGR #46.

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Joe Long (Photo: Richard Heathcote / The R&A / R&A via Getty Images)

CHARLES ‘OLLIE’ OSBORNE (USA) – runner-up at the 2020 U.S. Amateur Championship (Cat. 7 exemption). Osborne, 21, is a junior at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. He has won two college titles to date. Ollie monday qualified for the 2019 Baracuda Championship on the PGA Tour played at his home course in Reno, Nevada but missed the cut. This will be his first major appearance. Caddie – Stephen Osborne (father). Current SPWAR #124 / WAGR #247.

TYLER STRAFACI (USA) – winner of the 2020 U.S. Amateur Championship (Cat. 7 exemption). Strafaci, 22, graduated from Georgia Tech last May and whilst he returned for a fifth year in September he ultimately decided to forego his final spring semester to pursue playing opportunities. In addition to his U.S. Amateur win at Bandon Dunes he also won the North & South Amateur and Palmetto Amateur last summer. Like Long he will represent USA in the 2021 Walker Cup match at Seminole G.C. next month. He has played in one major before, the 2018 U.S. Open Championship. Tyler has also played in four PGA Tour events missing the cut in each of them. He picked up a collarbone injury playing in the 2021 Genesis Invitational which he has only just recovered from. Tyler’s grandfather Frank Sr., who died 10 years before he was born, played in The Masters in 1938 and 1950. Only Tommy Armour and Tommy Armour III have previously achieved this grandfather-grandson double. Caddie – Bret Benjamin (local). Current SPWAR #18 / WAGR #11.   

The U.S. and Amateur champions also receive non-playing honorary invitations which mean they are invited to attend The Masters every year for the rest of their lives.

Amateur Perks

Due to social distancing only one amateur has been allowed to stay in the Crow’s Nest per night. Joe Long stayed there on Sunday night, Tyler Strafaci on Monday and Ollie Osborne on Tuesday. 

The Amateur Dinner is being held on Wednesday night as it was in 2020. It had for many years been held on the Monday of Masters week. Chairman Fred Ridley will host the evening with Viktor Hovland, the 2018 U.S. Amateur champion who has subsequently transitioned smoothly to the pro ranks, the special guest speaker.

2021 Amateur Tee Times (GMT +5hrs)

Round 1

Group 5 – 8.48am EDT / 1.48pm BST – Bernhard Langer (GER) / Will Zalatoris (USA)* / JOE LONG (ENG)

Group 13 – 10.30am EDT / 3.30pm BST – Dustin Johnson (USA) / Lee Westwood (ENG) / TYLER STRAFACI (USA)

Group 22 – 12.24pm EDT / 5.24pm BST – Fred Couples (USA) / Francesco Molinari (ITA) / OLLIE OSBORNE (USA)

Round 2

Group 7 – 9.12am EDT / 2.12pm BST – Fred Couples (USA) / Francesco Molinari (ITA) / OLLIE OSBORNE (USA)

Group 20 – 11.54am EDT / 4.54pm BST – Bernhard Langer (GER) / Will Zalatoris (USA)* / JOE LONG (ENG)

Group 28 – 1.36pm EDT / 6.36pm BST – Dustin Johnson (USA) / Lee Westwood (ENG) / TYLER STRAFACI(USA)**

*Will Zalatoris who represented USA in the 2017 Walker Cup is also making his Masters debut this week. Alongside the three amateurs there are three professional debutants this year; Robert MacIntyre, who also played in the 2017 Walker Cup, and Carlos Ortiz are the other two.

**By tradition the reigning U.S. Amateur champion is always paired with the reigning Masters champion.

Click here to view all of the – Masters 2021 Tee Times

2020 Masters – Amateur Performances

Andy OGLETREE (USA) won the 2020 Silver Cup at The Masters for the low amateur completing all 72 holes.

He finished tied 34th on 286 (-2) after rounds of 73, 70, 71 and 72.

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Andy Ogletree (Photo: Michael Holahan / The Augusta Chronicle)

James SUGRUE (IRL) finished his opening two rounds on 148 (+4) and missed the cut. His four 3-putts in Round 1, including a short one on the 18th when he was trying to finish his round before darkness fell, probably ruined his chances of progressing.

He can take some consolation from his second round 71 though which was the first under par and lowest round ever recorded by a GB&I amateur at The Masters. Whilst the shots still had to be played James took advantage of the November playing with the softer conditions making scoring much easier than normal. 

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James Sugrue 36 hole Scorecard (Graphic: The Masters)

Click here to view the final – Masters 2020 Leaderboard

The Masters – Amateur Playing Records

For more information on amateur performances at The Masters please take a look at – The Masters – Amateur Records.

ME.

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