Here is my assessment of the Individual GB&I performances at the European Men’s Amateur Team Championship.
Euan WALKER (SCO) was my star man at this week’s Championship after another superb overall performance.
Harry HALL (ENG), Ryan LUMSDEN (SCO), Mark POWER (IRE) and Gaelan TREW (WAL) impressively won all three of their Singles games in the Match Play stage.
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13th July 2019
Sweden beat ENGLAND 4.5-2.5 in the Final of the European Men’s Amateur Team Championship.
Sweden’s Men’s Team (Photo: European Golf Association)
It was Sweden’s third win and first since 1961 – they won the first two Championships that were played. Meanwhile England collected the silver medal for the third year running after losing to Spain and Finland in the two previous Finals.
Tom SLOMAN and Tom PLUMB completed a hat trick of Foursomes wins in the opening match but Alex FITZPATRICK and Matty LAMB couldn’t match them on this occasion.
As England had lost both Singles series’ in the previous two rounds the writing was perhaps on the wall entering the afternoon games. Obviously this time their opponents also had home advantage on their side too.
Sweden ended up winning the second half of the match 3.5-1.5 with only Harry HALL able to secure a full point – his third Singles win of the competition.
Sweden v. England Final Match Results (Photo: EGA / Golfbox)
SCOTLAND secured the Bronze Medal beating Denmark 4-3 on the final day.
The Scots got off to a great start winning both of the morning foursomes with some ease.
Narrow 1 hole wins for Euan WALKER and Ryan LUMSDEN ultimately saw them home.
Denmark v. Scotland 3rd Place Match Results (Photo: EGA / Golfbox)
IRELAND pipped WALES to 5th place winning their final day match 3-2.
Two matches went to extra holes and with Ireland winning both they swung the result to the green side. In the Foursomes Caolan RAFFERTY & James SUGRUE got the win on the 22nd hole and like yesterday Mark POWER came out on top in extra time in his Singles.
Ireland v. Wales 5th Place Match Results (Photo: EGA / Golfbox)
Click here to view all of the Match Play Results – Flight A
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12th July 2019
ENGLAND beat SCOTLAND 4-3 in their semi-final at the European Men’s Amateur Team Championship. They will play Sweden tomorrow in the final after the home nation overcame Denmark 6-1.
The two English foursomes pairings maintained their 100% win records with Tom SLOMAN & Tom PLUMB beating Sandy SCOTT & James WILSON 3&2 and Alex FITZPATRICK & Matty LAMB overcoming Euan MCINTOSH & Euan WALKER by 2 Holes.
The Scots fought back well in the afternoon with Sandy SCOTT, Euan WALKER and Ryan LUMSDEN all winning their Singles. However, it proved to be in vein as Tom PLUMB and Harry HALL saw England home with 3&2 and 3&1 wins respectively in the other two games.
Scotland v. England Semi-Final Results (Photo: EGA / Golfbox)
Despite being out of the medals IRELAND and WALES carry on playing – albeit in an abridged match format – to see who finishes in 5th to 8th places in the Championship.
IRELAND beat Germany 3-2, the highlights being Singles wins for Conor PURCELL and Mark POWER.
Ireland v. Germany Results (Photo: EGA / Golfbox)
WALES enjoyed the scalp of Spain on Day 4 of the Championship. Their 3.5-1.5 victory came on the back of an unbeaten Singles performance with three wins coming from Gaelen TREW, Jacob DAVIES and Jake HAPGOOD.
Spain v. Wales Results (Photo: EGA / Golfbox)
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11th July 2019
No. 1 seed’s IRELAND lost 4-3 to Denmark who had finished 34 shots behind them in the Stroke Play Qualifying.
IRELAND got off to a bad start losing both morning foursome games heavily by 5&4.
Whilst Conor PURCELL (5&3), Mark POWER (4&3) and James SUGRUE (3&2) all won their Singles narrow 1 hole losses for Caolan RAFFERTY and Tiarnan MCLARNON ultimately did for the Irish.
Ireland v. Denmark Quarter Final Results (Photo: EGA / Golfbox)
SCOTLAND beat Spain 4.5 – 2.5.
Having built a strong foundation with two foursomes wins in the morning, Singles wins for Sandy SCOTT and Ryan LUMSDEN and a half for James WILSON easily saw the Scots home.
Scotland v. Spain Quarter Final Results (Photo: EGA / Golfbox)
England narrowly beat Wales 4-3 to set up a semi-final with Scotland.
Wales can take some consolation from wining the afternoon Singles series 3-2 with their wins coming from Gaelan TREW, Archie DAVIES and Jake HAPGOOD.
England v. Wales Quarter Final Results (Photo: EGA / Golfbox)
Click here to view the Match Play Draw / Scores – Flight A
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10th July 2019
IRELAND (-19), ENGLAND (-16) and SCOTLAND (-10) finished 1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively in the Stroke Play Qualifying competition, where five of the six individual scores count towards the team total.
WALES (+12) battled well on Day 2 with a +2 total helping them to an encouraging 7th place finish.
As a result all four home nations qualified for the top 8 Flight A match play stage and as such are now competing for a Championship medal.
Stroke Play Qualifying Results (Photo: EGA / Golfbox)
Euan WALKER (SCO) earned individual medalist honours. His rounds of 67 and 65 gave him a 132 (-12) total and saw him finish 3-shots ahead of his nearest challengers.
Making a welcome return to form Conor PURCELL (IRE) -9 was 2nd and Tom SLOMAN (ENG) -8 3rd.
Caolan RAFFERTY (IRE) and Alex FITZPATRICK (ENG) were the next best in tied 4th on -5.
Sandy SCOTT (SCO), Ben JONES (ENG) and Ben CHAMBERLAIN (WAL) finished in a six man group in tied 7th on -3 in a leaderboard that was dominated by GB&I players.
Leading Stroke Play Qualifying Individual Results (Photo: EGA / Golfbox)
Click here to view the Stroke Play Qualifying Results – Individual and Team
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7th July 2019
The 36th European Men’s Amateur Team Championship will be played between Tuesday 9th and Saturday 13th July 2019 at Ljunghusen G.C. in Sweden.
Teams from England, Ireland,Scotland and Wales will be competing this week.
Finland are the defending champions having won at Golf Club Bad Saarow in Germany.
Team Finland (Photo: Suomen Golfliitto / @golfliitto)
The European Ladies’, Boys’ and Girls’ Team Championships are also being played elsewhere in Europe this week.
I will provide daily updates on play in the Men’s event on this website during the week and score links to all of the Championships on Twitter.
2019 Teams
16 national teams of 6 players contest the European Men’s Amateur Team Championship.
The teams competing in the 2019 Championship are Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Netherlands, Scotland, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Wales.
Portugal, Czech Republic and Serbia were relegated from Division 1 in 2018 whilst Switzerland, Slovenia and Wales were promoted from Division 2.
The Czech Republic have been given a reprieve whilst Belgium, who finished 4th in Division 2 last year, have also been invited to play in Sweden. This is because both Italy, who finished 12th in Division 1, and Division 2 champions Switzerland have chosen to participate in the Division 2 competition in Poland this year. I have no idea why they would want to do this.
The 2019 home nation teams are made up of the following players: –
ENGLAND – Alex FITZPATRICK, Harry HALL, Ben JONES, Matty LAMB, Tom PLUMB and Tom SLOMAN.
IRELAND – Tiarnan MCLARNAN, Ronan MULLARNEY, Mark POWER, Conor PURCELL, Caolan RAFFERTY and James SUGRUE.
SCOTLAND – Ryan LUMSDEN, Euan MCINTOSH, Sandy SCOTT, Jamie STEWART, Euan WALKER and James WILSON.
WALES –Ben CHAMBERLAIN, Archie DAVIES, Jacob DAVIES, Jake HAPGOOD, Matt ROBERTS and Gaelan TREW.
Unusually quite a few players, primarily from Scotland and Wales, played in the Men’s Team events last year. These were Caolan Rafferty, Ryan Lumsden, Euan McIntosh, Sandy Scott, Jamie Stewart, Euan Walker, Ben Chamberlain, Jake Hapgood, Matt Roberts and Gaelan Trew.
Format / Schedule
The Championship is run by the European Golf Association, this year in partnership with the Swedish Golf Federation.
Two rounds of stroke play qualifying are completed on the first two days, with the lowest five scores from each team counting.
These results determine a seeded match play draw. The top 8 qualifying teams will play in a first flight, which will determine the medalists, with the others competing in a second flight. In Fight A it is therefore 1st v. 8th, 2nd v. 7th, 3rd v. 6th and 4th v. 5th.
The teams finishing 14th to 16th in the match play stage will theoretically be relegated to the Division 2 Championship for 2020.
The teams in Flight A play 2 foursomes and 5 singles whilst those in Flight B play 1 foursome and 4 singles.
A win earns 1 point, a draw half a point and a loss no points in all of the matches.
Ljunghusen is a flat heathland links course located on the Falsterbo Peninsula, about 20 miles south of Malmö.
The Championship, which was also staged here in 2001, will be played on holes 1-18 of this 27 hole facility.
The main course plays to 6,352 metres and a par of 72. As can be seen from the aerial photo below the course is relatively tight with fairways edged with heather and some greens protected by water hazards. Ljunghusen translates as ‘house of heather’ and if the wind blows it can be penal.
Weather Forecast
This week’s weather forecast for south west Sweden looks very good. The winds off the Baltic determine the difficulty of the course and with relatively low values expected I anticipate a low scoring competition.
Tue 9th July – Sunny Intervals. Wind 15 mph NW. Temp. Min. 12°C / Max. 19°C.
Wed 10th July – Sunny. Wind 14 mph NW. Temp. Min. 13°C / Max. 20°C.
Thur 11th July – Sunny. Wind 10 mph NW. Temp. Min. 13°C / Max. 21°C.
Fri 12th July – Sunny. Wind 8 mph NW. Temp. Min. 13°C / Max. 21°C.
Sat 13th July – Sunny. Wind 10 mph SW. Temp. Min. 12°C / Max. 20°C.
2018 European Men’s Amateur Team Championship
In something of a surprise Finland beat England 5-2 at Golf Club Bad Saarow, Brandenburg in Germany in the 2018 Final.
England, the 11-time champions, beat France (6-1) and Denmark (4-3) on their way to the Final.
Scotland, who had qualified for Flight A, lost to Denmark (4.5-2.5), France (1.5-3.5) and finally Sweden (3-2) to finish 8th.
In Flight B Ireland beat Serbia (5-0) and Iceland (3.5-1.5) but lost 2-3 to Netherlands on the final day to finish 10th.
Match Play Draw / Scores – Flight A
Match Play Draw / Scores – Flight B
In the preceding Stroke Play Qualifying competition England (-27) finished 2nd (after count back from winners Sweden), Scotland (-11) 6th and Ireland (-1) 9th. England and Scotland therefore qualified for the Flight A Match Play whilst Ireland had to settle for Flight B.
England’s Gian-Marco PETROZZI secured individual medalist honours with a -12 total. John MURPHY (-9) was Ireland’s leading player finishing 6th whilst Euan MCINTOSH (-4) was the best placed Scot in 14th place.
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 leading players.
This information is maintained on the Rankings page of the GolfBible website and is updated quarterly.
The latest update covering the June 2019Quarter period has now been added.
I also select a Player of the Quarter.
For Quarter 2 2019 I have chosen Scotland’s Euan WALKER. Euan was close to winning this award in Quarter 1 when he won the African Amateur. Whilst he hasn’t won in Quarter 2 he has continued his excellent 2019 form with a number of high finishes. I consider Euan a 100% certainty for the GB&I Walker Cup team.
Euan Walker (Photo: European Golf Association)
Pease click this link to be redirected to my Rankings page – GolfBible Rankings
QUALIFIERS Andrew WILSON – Rockliffe Hall 69 68 (-7) 1st Thomas THURLOWAY (a) – Chartham Park EX (2018 English Amateur) 69 69 (-6) 2nd Ashton TURNER – Kenwick Park 67 72 (-5) T3 (after play-off)
Thomas Thurloway’s Scorecard (Photo: The R&A / Golfbox Scoring)
Tom SLOMAN (a) – Taunton & Pickeridge EX (OWGR) 68 72 (-4) T5
Jake BURNAGE (a) – Saunton RQ 68 72 (-4) T5
Philip WHITE (a) – Burnham & Berrow RQ 74 68 (-2) T7
Olly HUGGINS (a) – Frilford Heath RQ 73 69 (-2) T7
Jack HAWKSBY (a) – The Millbrook RQ 72 72 (Ev) T14
David HAGUE (a) – Malton & Norton EX (2018 St Andrews Trophy) 75 71 (+2) T25
Sam BROADHURST (a) – Atherstone RQ 74 73 (+3) T29
Angus FLANAGAN (a) – St George’s Hill RQ 71 76 (+3) T29
Jake HIBBERT (a) – Delamere Forest RQ 74 74 (+4) T34
Robert BRAZILL (a) – County Louth RQ (Res. 31) 73 75 (+4) T34
Ben FIRTH (a) – Leeds Golf Centre RQ 80 70 (+6) T44
James BIGGS (a) – Diss RQ 74 76 (+6) T44
Thomas DORAN (a) – Delamere Forest RQ (Res. 30) 76 75 (+7) T48
Oliver FARRELL (a) – Evesham RQ 77 77 (+10) T55
Oliver SULLIVAN (a) – Phoenix RQ (Res. 9) 78 83 (+17) 62nd
Luke ROGERS (a) – Kidderminster RQ 86 78 (+20) 63rd
Curtis Knipes’ Scorecard (Photo: The R&A / Golfbox Scoring)
Conor PURCELL (a) – Portmarnock EX (2018 St Andrews Trophy) 71 71 (-2) T11
Stephen SHEPHARD (a) – USA RQ 69 73 (-2) T11
Bradley BAWDEN (a) – Rochford Hundred RQ (Res. 2) 70 72 (+2) T11
Jamie LI (a) – Cumberwell Park EX (OWGR) 73 69 (-2) T11
Jensen HULL (a) – Hever Castle RQ 71 72 (-1) T18
Charlie STRICKLAND (a) – Ham Manor EX (OWGR) 70 74 (Ev) T20
Ryan COX (a) – Warley Park RQ 74 71 (+1) T25
Giles GILL (a) – Plum Creek RQ 75 71 (+2) T32
Ryan LUMSDEN (a) – Royal Wimbledon RQ 73 73 (+2) T32
Harvey BYERS (a) – Walton Heath RQ 70 76 (+2) T32
Harry BUTLER (a) – Chigwell RQ 70 77 (+3) T36
Conor GOUGH (a) – Stoke Park EX (2018 Boys Amateur champion) 71 77 (+4) T42
Jarle VOLDEN (a) – Norway EX (OWGR / Eisenhower Trophy) 77 71 (+4) T42
John GOUGH (a) – Stoke Park RQ 73 75 (+4) T42
Adam BIRDSEYE (a) – Maidenhead RQ 72 77 (+5) T49
Liam BURNS (a) – Chislehurst RQ 70 81 (+7) T55
Maxim FRENCH (a) – RAC RQ (Res. 8) 76 85 (+17) T63
Jack KELLY (a) – Sandy Lodge RQ (Res. 10) 81 84 (+21) 65th
ST. ANNES OLD LINKS – Results
72 players / 18 amateurs / 3 qualifying places
QUALIFIERS Garrick PORTEOUS – Unattached (ENG) 67 67 (-10) T1 Jack SENIOR – Carus Green 67 67 (-10) T1 Matthew BALDWIN – 65 70 (-9) 3rd
Callum BLINKHORN (a) – Leigh RQ 67 69 (-8) T4
Alex FITZPATRICK (a) – Hallamshire EX (WAGR) 69 69 (-6) T9
Tom PLUMB (a) – Yeovil RQ 71 69 (-4) T16
Wilco NIENABER (a) – South Africa EX (OWGR) 72 69 (-3) T18
Greg HOLMES (a) – Royal Birkdale RQ 73 69 (-2) T20
Ben BAILEY (a) – The Wynyard Club RQ 72 72 (Ev) T30
Callan BARROW (a) – Royal Lytham & St. Annes RQ 75 69 (Ev) T30
Ben JONES (a) – Northamptonshire County EX (WAGR) 72 75 (+3) T38
James NEWTON (a) – Prestbury RQ 72 76 (+4) T41
Dylan KEATING (a) – Seapoint RQ 73 76 (+5) T45
Maxwell MARTIN (a) – Harborne RQ (Res. 6) 73 76 (+5) T45
Michael DOWNES (a) – The Mere RQ 77 74 (+7) T48
Josh MORTON (a) – Huddersfield RQ 76 77 (+9) T54
Nicholas PEOPLES (a) – Royal Lytham & St. Annes RQ 75 78 (+9) T54
Thomas MULLIGAN (a) – Laytown & Bettystown RQ 76 78 (+10) T57
Ben HUTCHINSON (a) – Howley Hall RQ 76 81 (+13) 63rd
Thomas WINN (a) – Morecombe RQ 79 82 (+17) T64
Robbie CANNON (a) – Balbriggan EX (2018 Irish Amateur champion) 70 WD
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1st July 2019
Final Qualifying for the 2019 Open Championship will take place on Tuesday 2nd July at four courses across Great Britain.
The qualifying venues are Fairmont St. Andrews, Notts G.C. (Hollinwell), Prince’s G.C. and St. Annes Old Links.
There are 12 places available, 3 at each Qualifier.
There are currently three amateurs in the 2019 Open Championship field. These are: –
The Asia-Pacific Amateur Champion 2018 – Takumi KANAYA (JAP);
The Amateur Champion for 2019 – James SUGRUE (IRE); and
The European Amateur Championship 2019 – Matthias SCHMID (GER).
Viktor HOVLAND (NOR), the 2018 U.S. Amateur Champion, and Braden THORNBERRY (USA), winner of the 2018 Mark H. McCormack Medal (Men’s World Amateur Golf Ranking No. 1 in August 2018) have both turned pro and therefore foregone their exemptions.
Regional Qualifying
150 players initially progressed from the 13 Regional Qualifying events staged on Monday 24th June with 50 amateurs amongst them.
Withdrawals from Final Qualifying have subsequently seen more players brought forward from the Regional Qualifying Reserves List. As at 5.00pm on Monday 1st July 11 amateur reserves have been called up. Rob BRAZILL (IRE), who was Reserve 31, being the latest one.
36 holes of stroke play golf will be played by each competitor in Final Qualifying.
288 players, including 78 amateurs, have been allocated across the four venues.
Looking at these amateurs 50 qualified from the Regional Stage, 11 were Reserves from these events and 17 have benefited from exemptions directly into Final Qualifying.
The three leading players at each of theses events will advance to the 148th Open Championship to be played at Royal Portrush Golf Club on 18th – 21st July.
Any ties for the last qualifying place in each competition will be resolved by a hole by hole play-off at the end of play.
As always 156 players will contest The Open itself, with the majority of these already being exempted into the field.
All tee times at Hollinwell will be off the 1st whilst the other three venues will be utilising their 1st and 10th tees.
Amateur Players / Tee Times
Here is a list of the amateur entries at each of the Final Qualifying events with links to The R&A’s Golfbox tee times and scoring links: –
EX = exempt into Final Qualifying
RQ = qualified via Regional Qualifying Res. = Reserve
Exemptions are awarded based on WAGR, past Championship wins and for previous participations in major team matches.
FAIRMONT ST. ANDREWS
72 players / 24 amateurs / 3 qualifying places
Akshay BHATIA (a) – USA EX (WAGR)
Daniel BRADBURY (a) – Wakefield RQ
Colm CAMPBELL (a) – Warrenpoint RQ
Kieran CANTLEY (a) – Liberton RQ
Darren CARLISLE (a) – Fairhaven RQ (Res. 18)
Shaun CARTER (a) – Royal Dublin RQ
Tiger CHRISTENSEN (a) – Germany RQ
Jack FLOYDD (a) – Haywards Heath RQ (Res. 19)
Hugh FOLEY (a) – Royal Dublin RQ
Richard GILL (a) – Tantallon RQ
Richard KNIGHTLY (a) – Royal Dublin RQ (Res. 5)
Eugenio LOPEZ-CHACARRA COTO (a) – Spain EX (WAGR)
Joe LYONS (a) – Galway RQ
Tom MCKIBBIN (a) – Holywood RQ
Tiarnan MCLARNON (a) – Massereene RQ
John MURPHY (a) – Kinsale EX (2018 St Andrews Trophy)
Will PORTER (a) – Carnoustie RQ (Res. 3)
James REED (a) – Exeter RQ
Ben SCHMIDT (a) – Rotherham RQ
Kyler TATE (a) – USA RQ
Alastair THURLOW (a) – Murrayfield RQ
Euan WALKER (a) – Kilmarnock (Barassie) EX (Amateur Championship Runner-Up)
Jeff WRIGHT (a) – Forres RQ
Brandon WU (a) – USA EX (WAGR)
Bradley BAWDEN (a) – Rochford Hundred RQ (Res. 2)
Adam BIRDSEYE (a) – Maidenhead RQ
Liam BURNS (a) – Chislehurst RQ
Harry BUTLER (a) – Chigwell RQ
Harvey BYERS (a) – Walton Heath RQ
Ryan COX (a) – Warley Park RQ
Maxim FRENCH (a) – RAC RQ (Res. 8)
Giles GILL (a) – Plum Creek RQ
Conor GOUGH (a) – Stoke Park EX (2018 Boys Amateur champion)
John GOUGH (a) – Stoke Park RQ
Jensen HULL (a) – Hever Castle RQ
Jack KELLY (a) – Sandy Lodge RQ (Res. 10)
Curtis KNIPES (a) – Chelmsford RQ
Jamie LI (a) – Cumberwell Park EX (OWGR)
Ryan LUMSDEN (a) – Royal Wimbledon RQ
Conor PURCELL (a) – Portmarnock EX (2018 St Andrews Trophy)
Stephen SHEPHARD (a) – USA RQ
Charlie STRICKLAND (a) – Ham Manor EX (OWGR)
Jarle VOLDEN (a) – Norway EX (OWGR / Eisenhower Trophy)
ST. ANNES OLD LINKS
72 players / 18 amateurs / 3 qualifying places
Ben BAILEY (a) – The Wynyard Club RQ
Callan BARROW (a) – Royal Lytham & St. Annes RQ
Callum BLINKHORN (a) – Leigh RQ
Robbie CANNON (a) – Balbriggan EX (2018 Irish Amateur champion)
Michael DOWNES (a) – The Mere RQ
Alex FITZPATRICK (a) – Hallamshire EX (WAGR)
Greg HOLMES (a) – Royal Birkdale RQ
Ben HUTCHINSON (a) – Howley Hall RQ
Ben JONES (a) – Northamptonshire County EX (WAGR)
Dylan KEATING (a) – Seapoint RQ
Maxwell MARTIN (a) – Harborne RQ (Res. 6)
Josh MORTON (a) – Huddersfield RQ
Thomas MULLIGAN (a) – Laytown & Bettystown RQ
James NEWTON (a) – Prestbury RQ
Wilco NIENABER (a) – South Africa EX (OWGR)
Nicholas PEOPLES (a) – Royal Lytham & St. Annes RQ
Tom PLUMB (a) – Yeovil RQ
Thomas WINN (a) – Morecombe RQ
Scotland’s Sam LOCKE was the only amateur to progress from Final Qualifying in 2018. He recorded rounds of 69 and 66 to claim medalist honours on 135 (-7) at The Renaissance event. Sam had been exempted into the Final Qualifying stage as the 2017 Scottish Closed Amateur champion.
He went on to win the low amateur silver medal at the 147th Open Championship at Carnoustie Golf Links and immediately turned professional thereafter.
(l-r) Thomas Curtis, Sam Locke and Grant Forrest (Photo: @Renaissancegc)
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For more information on the Low Amateur prize at The Open Championship you may like to take a look at this article – ‘The Open Championship’s Silver Medal’.
Matthias SCHMID (GER) finished the job off at the European Amateur today. A final round 70 took him to a 273 (-15) total and a comfortable 3 shot victory. Well done Matthias !
Matthias Schmid (Photo: European Golf Association)
Euan WALKER (SCO), confirming his status as Great Britain & Ireland’s No. 1 player, shot a 66 (-6) in the final round to move up to solo 2nd on -12.
Euan Walker’s Scorecard (Photo: EGA / Golfbox)
Ben JONES (ENG) 68 and Joe LONG (ENG) 74 finished the Championship on -9 tied for 3rd place. Jones collected the bronze medal based on last 36 holes count back.
It was also another good week for Caolan RAFFERTY (IRE) 69 who finished tied 6th on -8.
Lytham Trophy winner Josh MCMAHON (ENG) -5 finished tied 13th which may help push him in to the next Walker Cup squad.
Harry HALL (ENG) will be disappointed with his tied 16th finish on -4. After a superb front nine of 31 (-5) he looked like pushing Schmid all the way home but sadly a returning 43 (+7) destroyed much of his excellent work over the preceding three and half days.
The ever consistent David LANGLEY (ENG) was the seventh and last GB&I player to finish in the top 20. A late double bogey on the 16th took the edge off his closing 70 today.
European Amateur Championship Leading Results (Photo: EGA / Golfbox)
Victor VEYRET (FRA) recorded the lowest round of the day with a 65 (-7) which included an outward 29 (-7) with 7 successive birdies on holes 2 – 8.
Matthias SCHMID (GER) jumped to the head of affairs after posting a 63 (-9) on Day 3. His round was the best of the week so far and three shots better than the two opening round 66’s. The Louisville University player has been showing up regularly on leaderboards in recent weeks so to see him leading now on 203 (-13) is no surprise.
Matthias Schmid’s Scorecard (Photo: EGA / Golfbox)
Joe LONG (ENG) is tied 2nd on 205 (-11). His 68 today included an impressive front nine of 31.
Euan WALKER (SCO) moved through the field with his own 68 in Round 3 and is now tied 5th on -6. Harry HALL (ENG) struggled a bit but contained the damage to a 74 and sits alongside the Scotsman well placed to attack tomorrow.
Ben JONES (ENG), Caolan RAFFERTY (IRE) and Charlie STRICKLAND (ENG) are all placed on -5 in tied 8th.
Other GB&I players to make the cut included Josh MCMAHON (ENG) -4 tied 13th, Jamie STEWART (SCO) -2 tied 18th, Sandy SCOTT (SCO), Jake BOLTON (ENG), David LANGLEY (ENG), Connor MCKINNEY (SCO) all -1 tied 21st, Robin WILLIAMS (ENG) +1, Tom PLUMB (ENG) both +1 tied 36th, Tom SLOMAN (ENG), Ben HUTCHINSON (ENG), Conor PURCELL (IRE) all +2 tied 49th and finally Tom MCKIBBIN (N.I.) and Tom THURLOWAY (ENG) both +3 tied 55th.
Daniel HILLIER (NZL) showed his class bouncing back with a 68 to make the cut after yesterday’s freak 85.
61 players, 19 of whom are from Great Britain & Ireland (GB&I), made the top 60 and ties cut which fell at +3.
The average score in Round 3 was 73.67 (+1.67), better than yesterday but still higher than on Day 1.
ME.
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27th June 2019
Harry HALL (ENG) now leads the European Amateur after second 68 moved him onto -8 for the Championship.
Harry Hall’s Scorecard (Photo: EGA / Golfbox)
Jerry JI (NED), Joe LONG (ENG) and overnight leader Blake WINDRED (AUS) are all tied 2nd on -7.
Joe Long’s Scorecard (Photo: EGA / Golfbox)
Tiarnan MCLARNON (IRE), now tied 19 on -2, and David LANGLEY (ENG), now tied 32 on -1, matched Hall’s best of the day 68.
Other GB&I players going well include Jamie STEWART (SCO) -5 tied 5th, Charlie STRICKLAND (ENG) -3 tied 10th, Caolan RAFFERTY (IRE), Connor MCKINNEY (SCO), Euan WALKER (SCO), Ben JONES (ENG) and Josh MCMAHON (ENG) all -2 tied 19th.
Rasmus NEERGAARD-PETERSEN (DEN) produced the shot of the day. A hole-in-one on the 185 yard par 3 2nd hole.
The other Round 1 leader Daniel HILLIER (NZL) shot an 85 (+13) today, the worse score of Day 2 by 4-shots and 19 shots higher than his first effort. He is now up against it to make the 54 hole cut.
The average score in Round 2 was 74.30 (+2.30), 1.33 shots higher than in Round 1 due to stronger winds. The players found the back nine much harder on Day 2 with the average score rising to 37.43 from 36.30.
ME.
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26th June 2019
Blake WINDRED (AUS) and Daniel HILLIER (NZL) lead the European Amateur Championship in Austria after first round 66’s (-6). Windred had 6 unblemished birdies whilst Hillier had seven offset by a single bogey on the 206 yard par 3 14th.
Joe LONG (ENG), Mark POWER (IRE), Conor MCKINNEY (SCO) and Caolan RAFFERTY (IRE) are tied 3rd alongside Germany’s Matthias SCHMID (GER) on 67 (-5).
GB&I Round 1 Leading Scorecards (Photo: EGA / Golfbox)
Harry HALL (ENG), Jamie STEWART (SCO), Joshua MCMAHON (ENG) and Charlie STRICKLAND (ENG) are in a group of 12 players on -4 in tied 8th. Hall matched Long’s sparkling 30 on the back nine to more than recover from a slow start.
The average score in Round 1 was 72.97 (+0.97); 36.67 (+0.67) on the front nine and 36.30 (+0.30) on the back. There were 10 eagles on Day 1 including a 2 from Tim WIDING (SWE) on the 338 yard par 4 13th. Harry Hall and Takumi KANAYA (JAP) both had 8 birdies in their opening rounds.
ME.
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25th June 2019
The 32nd European Amateur Championship starts tomorrow at Diamond Country Club in Austria.
This prestigious Championship is run by the European Golf Association (EGA), assisted each year by the host nation; this year, the Austrian Golf Federation.
Competition Format
The European Amateur is a 72-hole stroke play competition. 18-holes are played daily over four days.
A cut will take place after 54 holes with the 60 lowest scores and ties qualifying for the final round on Saturday 29th June.
A 3 hole aggregate score play off will decide the winner in the event of a tie. If this doesn’t separate the players then a sudden death play-off will commence over the same holes.
Entries
144 players will contest the Championship this week.
All of the players must have handicaps of 0.0 or better with an entry ballot applied based on the World Amateur Golf Rankings (1st-1,600th only).
Exemptions were also available to the defending champion, a single nomination from each EGA member nation, four nominated players from the host nation, Austria, competitors in the most recent Bonallack Trophy, St. Andrew’s Trophy and Jacques Léglise Trophy matches, the 2019 South American Amateur champion and the 2019 European Mid-Amateur champion.
There are 39 GB&I players competing in Austria. Amateur champion James SUGRUE (IRE) was originally entered in the Golf Union of Ireland squad but withdrew late last week. Alex FITZPATRICK (ENG) had also entered but again was a late withdrawal.
In total there are 27 of the current Scratch Players World Amateur Ranking’s Top 100 in the field. These are Euan WALKER (SCO) #7, Caolan RAFFERTY (IRE) #12, Jayden SCHAPER (RSA) #13, Conor PURCELL (IRE) #14, Daniel HILLIER (NZE) #15, Blake WINDRED (AUS) #18, Takumi KANAYA (JAP) #22, Harry HALL (ENG) #25, Ben JONES (ENG) #28, Jake BURNAGE (SCO) #29, Tom PLUMB (ENG) #30, TOM SLOMAN (ENG) #31, Sandy SCOTT (SCO) #36, David LANGLEY (ENG) #39, Matthias SCHMID (GER) #42, Keita NAKAJIMA (JAP) #43, Bailey GILL (ENG) #45, Ronan MULLARNEY (IRE) #48, Koen KOUWENAAR (NED) #49, Ben HUTCHINSON (ENG) #55, Luca FILIPPI (RSA) #67, Matty LAMB (ENG) #69, Jannik DE BRUYN (GER) #80, Adrien PENDARIES (ENG) #85, Jack THOMPSON (AUS) #86, Michael HIRMER (GER) #89 and Nathan BARBIERI (AUS) #99
Diamond Country Club
The 2019 Championship is being staged at the Diamond Country Club in Atzenbrugg, near Vienna in Austria.
The course was designed by Jeremy Pern and plays to 6,766m and a par of 72 off the back tees. It is an American-style parkland course set around a large central lake.
It hosted a European Tour event between 2010 and 2018. In 2018 it held the Shock Clock Masters, where every shot was timed for the first time. Tom MCKIBBIN (IRE) played as an amateur invite in this tournament and returns this week.
It has staged a number of EGA competitions most recently the 2017 Men’s European Team Championship which was won by Spain.
Weather Forecast
A hot and sunny week is forecast for Austria and conditions should be very good over the four competition days.
Weds 26th June – Sunny. Wind 7 mph (SE). Min. 23°C / Max. 36°C. Thurs 27th June – Sunny. Wind 10 mph (NW). Min. 18°C / Max. 32°C. Fri 28th June – Sunny. Wind 9 mph (NW). Min. 16°C / Max. 28°C. Sat 29th June – Sunny. Wind 6 mph (NW). Max. 17°C / Min 29°C.
Prizes
Gold, silver and bronze medals are awarded to the Top 3 finishers.
More importantly the champion receives an exemption into this year’s Open Championship being played at Royal Portrush G.C. in Northern Ireland in July.
The Championship Trophy is held by the winning player’s national golf authority.
2018 European Amateur Championship
Nicolai HOJGAARD (DEN) won the 2018 European Amateur Championship at Royal Hague in The Netherlands.
Robin Dawson (Silver), Nicolai Hojgaard (Gold) and Jerry Ji (Bronze) (Photo: European Golf Association / Ronald Speijer)
Robin DAWSON (IRE) and Jerry JI (NED) pipped Viktor HOVLAND (NOR) and Mitch WAITE (ENG) to the silver and bronze medals respectively, based on a last 36 and then 18 hole count back, after all four finished on 282 (-6).
The competition was first contested in 1986 at Eindhoven G.C. Initially it was held biennially before moving to an annual fixture from 1990.
2019 will be the second occasion Austria have hosted the Championship. To date it has been held in 18 different countries in total.
Former winners who have gone on to enjoy very successful professional careers include Stephen GALLACHER (1994), Sergio GARCIA (1995), Gregory HAVRET (1999), Carl PETTERSSON (2000), Rory MCILROY (2006) and Victor DUBUISSON (2009).
In addition to Gallacher and McIlroy other GB&I past winners include Jim PAYNE (1991), Paddy GRIBBEN (1998), Stephen BROWNE (2001), Brian MCELHINNEY (2003), Matthew RICHARDSON (2004), Rhys PUGH (2012) and Ashley CHESTERS (2013 and 2014) and Alfie PLANT (2017).
Ashley Chesters is the only two-time winner and the only player to have retained the trophy.
50 amateurs progressed out of a total of 150 players at the 13 Regional Qualifying events held today.
9 of the competitions were won or co-won by an amateur player.
A further 24 amateurs have reserve status. Based on previous years I anticipate at least 10 of these will ultimately progress to Final Qualifying too.
Final Qualifying will be held over 36 holes at Notts (Hollinwell), Prince’s, St Annes Old Links and Fairmont St. Andrews on Tuesday 2nd July. The three leading players at each of theses events will advance to the Open Championship to be played at Royal Portrush G.C. on 18th – 21st July.
1st Kieran CANTLEY (a) – Liberton 65 (-7) Q
T3 Benjamin BAILEY (a) – The Wynyard Club 68 (-4) Q
No amateur reserves.
Kieran Cantley’s Scorecard (Photo: The R&A / Golfbox)
BURHILL (NEW COURSE) – Results
113 players / 34 amateurs / 13 qualifying places
T1 Angus FLANAGAN (a) – St George’s Hill 65 (-7) Q
4th Ryan LUMSDEN (a) – Royal Wimbledon 67 (-5) Q
T5 Ryan COX (a) – Warley Park 68 (-4) Q
T10 Kyler TATE (a) – USA 69 (-3) via a 5-for-4 PLAY-OFF Q
T10 Curtis KNIPES (a) – Chelmsford 69 (-3) via a 5-for-4 PLAY-OFF Q
T10 Maxim FRENCH (a) – RAC 69 (-3) lost in a 5-for-4 PLAY-OFF Reserve 8
T15 Jack FLOYDD (a) – Haywards Heath 70 (-2) Reserve 19
Angus Flanagan’s Scorecard (Photo: The R&A / Golfbox)
COUNTY LOUTH – Results
115 players / 50 amateurs / 13 qualifying places
1st Dylan KEATING (a) – Seapoint 66 (-6) Q
T2 Joe LYONS (a) – Galway 67 (-5) Q
T4 Thomas MULLIGAN (a) – Laytown & Bettystown 68 (-4) Q
T4 Tom MCKIBBIN (a) – Holywood 68 (-4) Q
T4 Tiarnan MCLARNON (a) – Massereene 68 (-4) Q
T9 Hugh FOLEY (a) – Royal Dublin 69 (-3) via a 10-for-5 PLAY-OFF Q
T9 Colm CAMPBELL (a) – Warrenpoint 69 (-3) via a 10-for-5 PLAY-OFF Q
T9 Shaun CARTER (a) – Royal Dublin 69 (-3) via a 10-for-5 PLAY-OFF Q
T9 Richard KNIGHTLY (a) – Royal Dublin 69 (-3) lost in a 10-for-5 PLAY-OFF Reserve 5
T9 Rob BRAZILL (a) – Naas 69 (-3) lost in a 10-for-5 PLAY-OFF Reserve 31
T9 Grayson HUFF (a) – USA 69 (-3) lost in a 10-for-5 PLAY-OFF Reserve 57
Dylan Keating’s Scorecard (Photo: The R&A / Golfbox)
T1 Ben FIRTH (a) – Leeds Golf Centre 67 (-5) Q
T3 Nicholas PEOPLES (a) – Royal Lytham & St. Annes 68 (-4) Q
T5 Tiger CHRISTENSEN (a) – Germany 69 (-3) Q
T7 Jake HIBBERT (a) – Delamere Forest 70 (-2) Q
T7 Thomas WINN (a) – Morecombe 70 (-2) Q
T7 Greg HOLMES (a) – Royal Birkdale 70 (-2) Q
T7 James NEWTON (a) – Prestbury 70 (-2) Q
T13 Callan BARROW (a) – Royal Lytham & St. Annes 68 (-4) via a 6-for-1 PLAY-OFF Q
T13 Oliver SULLIVAN (a) – Phoenix 71 (-1) lost in a 6-for-1 PLAY-OFF Reserve 9
T13 Darren CARLISLE (a) – Fairhaven 71 (-1) lost in a 6-for-1 PLAY-OFF Reserve 18
T13 James DARCY (a) – Bingley St. Ives 71 (-1) lost in a 6-for-1 PLAY-OFF Reserve 44
T13 Eoin LEONARD (a) – Wentworth 71 (-1) lost in a 6-for-1 PLAY-OFF Reserve 61
1st Stephen SHEPHERD (a) – USA 64 (-8) Q
T3 Liam BURNS (a) – Chislehurst 68 (-4) Q
T3 Jensen HULL (a) – Hever Castle 68 (-4) Q
T8 Harvey BYERS (a) – Walton Heath 70 (-2) Q
T12 Giles GILL (a) – Plum Creek 71 (-1) via a 9-for-2 PLAY-OFF Q
T12 Bradley BAWDEN (a) – Rochford Hundred 71 (-1) lost in a 9-for-2 PLAY-OFF Reserve 2
T12 Danny JONES (a) – Wildernesse 71 (-1) lost in a 9-for-2 PLAY-OFF Reserve 77
Steven Shepherd’s Scorecard (Photo: The R&A / Golfbox)
Regional Qualifying for the 2019 Open Championship will take place on Monday 24th June 2019 at 13 courses across Great Britain and Ireland.
The qualifying venues are Alwoodley, Berwick-Upon-Tweed, Burhill, County Louth, Fairhaven, Frilford Heath, Kedleston Park, Minchinhampton, Northamptonshire County, Panmure, Sandy Lodge, West Lancashire and Wildernesse.
This is the point at which most amateur golfers enter the competition, although some are exempted in to Final Qualifying and a lucky handful the Championship itself.
The Open website will provide updates from all of the Regional Qualifying venues throughout the day on a ‘Live Blog’ page.
Format & Prizes
18 holes of stroke play golf will be played by each competitor in Regional Qualifying.
Prize Fund – 1st £800, 2nd £600, 3rd £400. Payments are only made at the end of The Open Championship itself.
Amateur winners receive a memento from The R&A. Should an amateur finish in the top 3 their respective prize money is paid to the next placed professional golfer.
Field / Qualifiers
At the time of writing 1,336 players have entered Regional Qualifying with 498 of these being amateurs.
In addition to male and leading women professionals male amateurs need to have a scratch playing handicap or to have been ranked in the Top 2,000 of the WAGR between 1st January and 1st June 2019 to be eligible for entry. The cost is £150 per player.
There are normally between 7 and 14 places available for Final Qualifying at each of the 13 venues. The final number will not be released until all golfers have teed off at each venue.
This page will be updated with the Results on Monday evening.
Any ties for the last qualifying spot in each competition will be resolved by a sudden death play-off at the end of play.
Reserve places, in case of subsequent withdrawals from Final Qualifying, will also be nominated. The order being decided by score and then a card countback starting with the back nine score, working downwards in the normal way. Between 15-25 Reserves usually get called upon each year.
Host Courses / Tee Times
Here is a list of the 13 Regional Qualifying events with all of the amateur entries (in alphabetical order) noted. Full Tee Times and Results links are also shown below: –
ALWOODLEY – 94 players / 28 amateurs / Tee Times
08:33 am Sam Bairstow (a) – Hallowes
09:28 am Joseph Bannan (a) – Manchester
11:39 am Adam Barnard (a) – Elsham
07:44 am Maxwell Berrisford (a) – Skipton
12:23 pm Daniel Bradbury (a) – Wakefield
11:01 am Mark Brayshaw (a) – Huddersfield
09:17 am Jordan Clements (a) – Northcliffe
10:17 am Sam Done (a) – Kenwick Park
11:50 am Joshua Dye (a) – Delamere Forest
08:17 am Christopher Green (a) – Cleckheaton & District
12:56 pm David Houlding (a) – Moortown
12:01 pm Ryan Howe (a) – Richmond (Yorks)
12:45 pm Ben Hutchinson (a) – Howley Hall
12:12 pm Tom Irwin (a) – Alwoodley
07:11 am David Keywood (a) – Harrogate
09:50 am Fraser Macleod (a) – Hazel Grove
08:44 am Josh Morton (a) – Huddersfield
08:06 am Mark Nicholson (a) – Sitwell Park
09:50 am Luke Northwood (a) – Kenilworth
12:45 pm Jamie Perkins (a) – Wike Ridge
12:34 pm Liam Phipps (a) – Olton
10:39 am Jack Pritchard (a) – Worsley
08:55 am Ben Rhodes (a) – Woodhall Hills
11:39 am Ben Schmidt (a) – Rotherham
07:55 am Charlie Thornton (a) – Fulford
08:33 am Joshua Winchester (a) – Waltham Windmill
09:39 am James Whatmore (a) – The Founders Club
07:22 am Oscar Yeomans (a) – Chelmsford
BERWICK-UPON-TWEED (GOSWICK) – 61 players / 25 amateurs / Tee Times
10:55 am Jack Ainscough (a) – Wynyard
09:55 am Steven Ashley (a) – Arcot Hall
10:44 am Benjamin Bailey (a) – The Wynyard Club
11:50 am William Bowe (a) – Workington
08:33 am Elliott Butterworth (a) – Middlesbrough
08:33 am Kieran Cantley (a) – Liberton
08:44 am Peter Caveney (a) – Middlesbrough
11:50 am Alex Dixon (a) – City of Newcastle
10:28 am Gary Donnison (a) – Gosforth
08:22 am Jonathan Douglas (a) – Close House GC
09:06 am Jonas Everhag (a) – Sweden
11:28 am Simon Fairburn (a) – Torwoodlee
10:55 am David Greenshields (a) – Berwick-upon-Tweed (Goswick)
08:22 am Chris Handy (a) – South Moor
09:06 am Michael Henson (a) – Bishop Auckland
08:55 am Simon Junk (a) – Germany
09:33 am Gavin Nesbit (a) – Boldon
08:44 am Michael Pask (a) – Royal Wimbledon
10:17 am Alexander Robertson (a) – Wynyard
10:17 am Alastair Rogers (a) – Grange & Broughty
11:17 am Rob Spence (a) – Furness
09:22 am Rory Thompson (a) – Stonyholme
08:11 am John Waghorn (a) – East Sussex National
10:06 am Paul Ward (a) – Chester-le-Street
11:06 am Connor Wilson (a) – Castle Park
BURHILL (NEW COURSE) – 114 players / 34 amateurs / Tee Times
11:01 am Jacob Aaholm (a) – Denmark
02:02 pm Alejandro Aguilera (a) – Spain
02:13 pm Alasdair Cheyne (a) – South Winchester
10:23 am Ryan Cox(a) – Warley Park
01:51 pm Mikey Doble(a) – Reigate Hill
07:44 am WillIam Dodds(a) – Styal
11:56 am Angus Flanagan(a) – St George’s Hill
01:40 pm Jack Floydd (a) – Haywards Heath
10:34 am Maxim French (a) – RAC
10:50 am Harry Hall(a) – West Cornwall
08:06 am Matthew Harris(a) – Southerndown
07:33 am Harry Hobday-Uzzell (a) – Wentworth Club
12:45 pm Duncan Hodgson(a) – Burhill
02:02 pm Philipp Johne(a) – Germany
01:18 pm Curtis Knipes(a) – Chelmsford
12:45 pm Nathan Longley(a) – Worthing
08:17 am Ryan Lumsden(a) – Royal Wimbledon
11:45 am Callum Mackay (a) – West Hill
08:28 am Billy McKenzie(a) – Rowlands Castle
02:24 pm Scott Meek(a) – Cowes
10:23 am Jake Mildenhall(a) – Haste Hill
02:24 pm Max O’Hagan(a) – West Hill
07:22 am Danial Parsons(a) – Sudbury
01:18 pm Andrew Rogers (a) – West Surrey
09:06 am Sam Russell(a) – Royal Eastbourne
01:51 pm Jake Sage (a) – Royal Eastbourne
09:28 am Joseph Swaine(a) – Ferndown
09:50 am Aadam Syed(a) – Foxhills
01:29 pm Daniel Taplin(a) – Chartham Park
07:00 am Kyler Tate(a) – United States
07:22 am Chris Thomas(a) – Hankley Common
07:33 am Louis Tydeman(a) – Roehampton
01:40 pm Michael Weaver(a) – Walton Heath
09:39 am Alex Winn(a) – Worlebury
COUNTY LOUTH – 115 players / 50 amateurs / Tee Times
12:18 pm Ben Best (a) – Rathmore
09:39 am Marc Boucher (a) – Carton House
08:17 am Robert Brazill (a) – Naas
07:33 am Paul Buckley (a) – Memorial
01:51 pm Colm Campbell Jr (a) – Warrenpoint
08:55 am Shaun Carter (a) – Royal Dublin
10:23 am Nathan Clark (a) – United States
10:01 am John Cleary (a) – Elm Park
01:29 pm Noel Crawford (a) – Mourne
07:33 am Patrick Dallat (a) – Galgorm Castle
09:50 am Gerard Dunne (a) – County Louth
07:00 am Arron Edwards-Hill (a) – Chelmsford
09:39 am Jamie Fletcher (a) – Warrenpoint
01:40 pm Hugh Foley (a) – Royal Dublin
01:51 pm James Fox (a) – Portmarnock
11:34 am Liam Grehan (a) – Mullingar
01:18 pm Jake Hapgood (a) – Southerndown
11:01 am Graysen Huff (a) – United States
12:56 pm David Joyce (a) – Powerscourt
07:55 am Dylan Keating (a) – Seapoint
12:45 pm Max Kennedy (a) – Royal Dublin
11:45 am David Kitt (a) – Athenry
08:39 am Richard Knightly (a) – Royal Dublin
08:28 am Jamie Knipe (a) – Royal Portrush
11:12 am Geoff Lenehan (a) – Portmarnock
07:44 am Dave Lowry (a) – Corrstown
12:07 pm Filip Lundell (a) – Sweden
11:23 am Ian Lynch (a) – Rosslare
11:45 am Joseph Lyons (a) – Galway
09:17 am Jack Madden (a) – Royal Portrush
12:18 pm James Maginn (a) – Mourne
01:18 pm Matthew Mcalpin (a) – Royal Portrush
02:13 pm Richard McCrudden (a) – Royal Portrush
08:28 am Tom McKibbin (a) – Holywood
07:11 am Tiarnan McLarnon (a) – Massereene
12:45 pm Robert Moran (a) – Castle
10:50 am Devin Morley (a) – Oughterard
07:55 am Mark Mullen (a) – Rosslare
10:34 am Thomas Mulligan (a) – Laytown & Bettystown
10:34 am Paul Murphy (a) – Rosslare
09:17 am Shaun Murphy (a) – Stanton-on-the-Wolds
08:17 am Eoin O’Brien (a) – Clontarf
11:23 am Ruairi O’Connor (a) – Co Sligo
08:55 am Ryan O’Doherty (a) – Enniscrone
11:12 am Hugh O’Hare (a) – Fortwilliam
09:50 am Peter O’Keeffe (a) – Douglas
01:07 pm Declan O’Neill (a) – The Links Portmarnock
07:44 am Jake Rowe (a) – Tandragee
12:29 pm Paul Tobin (a) – Douglas
10:01 am Martin Westerlund (a) – Sweden
FAIRHAVEN – 115 players / 41 amateurs / Tee Times
07:44 am Callan Barrow (a) – Royal Lytham & St Annes
12:45 pm Harry Beavan (a) – Crewe
12:29 pm Jonathan Beesley (a) – The Mere
09:50 am Matthew Buckley (a) – Bolton Old Links
07:11 am Daryl Callister (a) – Mount Murray
10:50 am Darren Carlisle (a) – Fairhaven
08:39 am Christopher Carney (a) – Morecambe
11:45 am Adam Chester (a) – Morecambe
09:06 am Tiger Christensen (a) – Germany
10:34 am Benjamin Churchill (a) – Fleetwood
02:24 pm Simon Coumbe (a) – Pontefract & District
11:34 am Reece Cranfield (a) – Wigan
10:23 am James Darcy (a) – Bingley St Ives
11:12 am Ben Firth (a) – Leeds Golf Centre
11:01 am Elliot Gothe (a) – Sweden
09:28 am Jake Hibbert (a) – Delamere Forest
01:40 pm Greg Holmes (a) – Royal Birkdale
02:02 pm Peter Jackson (a) – Woking
10:23 am Jordan Kellett (a) – Fleetwood
08:17 am Matthew Latham (a) – Pine Ridge
12:07 pm Eoin Leonard (a) – Wentworth
08:06 am Thomas Matthews (a) – Oswestry
11:34 am Jack McPhail (a) – Huyton & Prescott
09:39 am Neil McQueen (a) – Chorley
01:29 pm Calum Metcalfe (a) – Pleasington
07:11 am Remy Miller (a) – Prestbury
10:01 am Daniel Morris (a) – Fairhaven
09:39 am James Newton (a) – Prestbury
09:06 am Nicholas Peoples (a) – Royal Lytham & St Annes
12:18 pm Joe Price (a) – Hagley
10:12 am Alexander Roberts (a) – Crewe
11:23 am Anthony Stirling (a) – Formby
12:07 pm Oliver Sullivan (a) – Phoenix
02:24 pm Louis Talarczyk (a) – Royal Lytham & St Annes
11:45 am Matt Taylor (a) – Crewe
11:01 am Solomon Toner (a) – Fleetwood
07:00 am Sam Turner (a) – Royal Lytham & St Annes
09:17 am Josh Turnock (a) – Prestbury
02:13 pm Luke Walker (a) – Ulverston
07:22 am Jack Wiggans (a) – Chorley
07:44 am Thomas Winn (a) – Morecambe
FRILFORD HEATH (RED COURSE) – 117 players / 32 amateurs / Tee Times
12:56 pm Thomas Beasley (a) – The Chase
02:13 pm Thomas Bevington (a) – Royal Palm CC of Naples
09:17 am Adam Birdseye (a) – Maidenhead
01:07 pm Oliver Brown (a) – The Vale Resort
07:00 am Harry Butler (a) – Chigwell
08:28 am Samuel Byford (a) – Ipswich
09:17 am Ryan Cahill (a) – Mill Ride
09:50 am Joshua Freeman (a) – Worlebury
07:11 am George Gardner (a) – Goring & Streatley
11:45 am Owen Grimes (a) – Stoneham
01:40 pm John Gough (a) – Stoke Park
07:33 am Jack Haines (a) – Gerrards Cross
01:29 pm Olly Huggins (a) – Frilford Heath
10:50 am Edward Keep (a) – Clandon Regis
07:44 am Ben Lobacz (a) – Blackmoor
01:29 pm Maxwell Martin (a) – Harborne
08:55 am Sean Mullan (a) – Wentworth Club
08:55 am Laurence Noott (a) – Lambourne
08:39 am Connor O’Brien (a) – Mid-Herts
08:39 am Taylor Paul (a) – Stoke Park
11:12 am Ben Platt (a) – East Berkshire
07:55 am Thomas Plumb (a) – Yeovil
01:07 pm Oliver Ross (a) – Ashridge
12:45 pm James Rowles (a) – Henbury
07:33 am Thomas Rowsell (a) – Barton on Sea
12:18 pm Lewis Scott (a) – Lee-on-the-Solent
01:40 pm Aaron Siddell (a) – Sonning
12:56 pm Arthur Tapner (a) – Ashridge
02:02 pm Ronald Totton (a) – Canada
11:23 am Lee White (a) – Frilford Heath
09:06 am Christopher Williams (a) – France
07:11 am Michael Young (a) – Golf du Priéure
KEDLESTON PARK – 96 players / 18 amateurs / Tee Times
07:00 am Max Adams (a) – Bury St Edmunds
07:33 am Luke Allen (a) – Olton
11:23 am Cole Betteridge (a) – Sherwood Forest
10:01 am George Clarke (a) – Druids Heath
12:34 pm Robert Coggon (a) – Astbury
12:23 pm Darren Coop (a) – Chesterfield
11:34 am Will Davidson (a) – Breadsall Priory
12:34 pm Matthew Downes (a) – Ingestre Park
01:18 pm Oliver Drew (a) – Sherwood Forest
07:00 am Miguel Evangelio (a) – Spain
08:28 am Michael Gee (a) – Bury St Edmunds
11:56 am Simon Higgins (a) – Beau Desert
09:17 am David Hurt (a) – College Pines
10:39 am Tom Ibbertson (a) – Coventry Hearsall
09:39 am Jack Malone (a) – Lutterworth
10:50 am Joe Macilwraith (a) – Olton
11:56 am Jake McGoldrick (a) – Enville
07:44 am Thomas Pyman (a) – The Oaks
MINCHINHAMPTON – 113 players / 25 amateurs / Tee Times
07:33 am James Bethwaite (a) – Ogbourne Downs
12:45 pm Harry Bowness (a) – Newbury & Crookham
07:11 am Jake Burnage (a) – Saunton
11:45 am Pete Corrick (a) – Parkstone
08:28 am Maximilian Drayton (a) – Broome Manor
09:50 am Oliver Farrell (a) – Evesham
11:34 am Andy Ferris (a) – Long Sutton
08:55 am Thomas Field (a) – The Players Club
07:11 am Johnny Grace (a) – Saltford
11:34 am Joe Harvey (a) – The Kendleshire
08:39 am Haider Hussain (a) – The Kendleshire
11:56 am Matthew Kippen (a) – Enmore Park
11:12 am Tom Law (a) – Broome Manor
12:56 pm Charlie McLean (a) – Minchinhampton
12:29 pm Tom Parsons (a) – Knighton Heath
01:51 pm Jake Phillips (a) – Minchinhampton
07:33 am William Poole (a) – Mendip Spring
08:17 am James Reed (a) – Exeter
11:23 am James Robinson (a) – Redditch
10:34 am Luke Rogers (a) – Kidderminster
12:29 pm Tom Stagg (a) – Salisbury & South Wilts
08:28 am Philip White (a) – Burnham & Berrow
01:40 pm Thomas Workman (a) – Minchinhampton
07:44 am Adan Yates (a) – Parkstone
10:01 am Rodi Vlasveld (a) – Netherlands
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE COUNTY – 86 players / 26 amateurs / Tee Times
10:34 am Chris Abbott (a) – Lutterworth
10:01 am Tony Adams (a) – Prince’s
11:23 am Jack Bartlett (a) – Woburn
09:28 am Christopher Bartrum (a) – Diss
09:17 am Warren Bates (a) – Heacham Manor
07:55 am James Biggs (a) – Diss
10:50 am James Billingham (a) – Cosby
08:55 am Sam Broadhurst (a) – Atherstone
09:50 am Ryan Brooks (a) – Whittington Heath
07:44 am Jack Brown (a) – Chelmsford
12:29 pm Michael Chambers (a) – Northamptonshire County
11:34 am Alex Christie (a) – Basildon
11:56 am Owen Davies (a) – Brampton Park
09:06 am Tom Harris (a) – Aston Wood
09:17 am Jon Hopkins (a) – Bishops Stortford
07:33 am Benjamin Humphrey (a) – Chelmsford
11:12 am George Leversuch (a) – Wanstead
09:39 am Sebastian Lovell (a) – Bedfordshire
07:44 am Freddie MacArthur (a) – Ullesthorpe Court
11:45 am Shay McQueen (a) – Chelmsford
09:39 am James O’Connor (a) – Centurion Club
08:55 am Ollie Read (a) – Whittington Heath
08:17 am Fergus Robinson (a) – Northamptonshire County
09:28 am Alexander Summers (a) – Kenilworth
10:34 am Robin Williams (a) – Peterborough Milton
07:11 am Lee Woodcock (a) – The Leicestershire
PANMURE – 93 players / 39 amateurs / Tee Times
07:33 am Oliver Armour (a) – Machrihanish
09:50 am Greg Brown (a) – Cathkin Braes
08:17 am James Cable (a) – Wardsville
10:17 am Ben Caton (a) – The New Golf Club St Andrews
11:50 am Mitchell Cowie (a) – Dumfries & County
08:44 am Ross Dallas (a) – Forfar
07:11 am John d’Apice (a) – Australia
09:39 am Andrew Davidson (a) – Charleton
11:23 am Ben Davies (a) – Royal Wimbledon
12:12 pm Neil Fredman (a) – Australia
12:12 pm Richard Gill (a) – Tantallon
11:12 am Jamie Goodrum (a) – Arbroath
10:50 am Gregor Graham (a) – Blairgowrie
09:06 am Kenny Gunnyeon (a) – Newmachar
08:55 am Alister Hain (a) – St Andrews
12:01 pm Rick Hessing (a) – Netherlands
12:45 pm Mark Hislop (a) – Glenbervie
09:17 am Lewis Irvine (a) – Kirkhill
07:44 am Daniel Lawrence (a) – Ballumbie Castle
12:34 pm Freddie Lawrence (a) – Garon Park
09:28 am Simon Lockhart (a) – Cawder
12:01 pm Mark Manwaring (a) – United States
12:56 pm Craig McGann (a) – Dunblane New
12:34 pm Liam Mcleod (a) – Royal Dornoch
12:23 pm Eric McIntosh (a) – Bruntsfield Links
07:33 am Blair Morton (a) – Royal Troon
10:50 am Murray Naysmith (a) – Dalmahoy
10:39 am Andrew Ni (a) – Murrayfield
09:28 am Aidan O’Hagan (a) – Old Course Ranfurly
11:23 am Will Porter (a) – Carnoustie
07:22 am Thomas Simmonds (a) – Gullane
12:56 pm Fraser Stoddart (a) – Drumoig
12:45 pm Alastair Thurlow (a) – Murrayfield
11:01 am Cass Traub (a) – United States
12:23 pm William Walker (a) – Glenbervie
10:28 am Kieran Waters (a) – Carlisle
11:39 am Stewart Whiteford (a) – Lundin
08:33 am Gary Wright (a) – Bonnybridge
08:44 am Jeff Wright (a) – Forres
SANDY LODGE – 115 players / 34 amateurs / Tee Times
02:13 pm Niels Andersen (a) – Denmark
02:02 pm Owen Benson (a) – Redbourn
07:55 am Adam Berg-Capin (a) – Sandy Lodge
09:50 am Alexander Berg-Capin (a) – Sandy Lodge
01:40 pm Martin Blake (a) – Garon Park
10:12 am Andrew Brett (a) – Stockley Park
01:40 pm Lawrence Courtney (a) – Apple Valley
02:13 pm Danny Daniels (a) – The Hertfordshire
07:44 am Spencer Davis (a) – Old Fold Manor
11:56 am Jerome Foster (a) – The Shire London
07:00 am Bailey Gill (a) – Lindrick
10:50 am Edward Green (a) – Moor Park
12:07 pm Alfie Halil (a) – Flempton
02:24 pm Martin Hamilton (a) – Woking
10:01 am Peter Handcock (a) – Harleyford
08:55 am Jack Hawksby (a) – The Millbrook
01:51 pm James Kee (a) – Moor Park
09:39 am Jack Kelly (a) – Sandy Lodge
12:56 pm Habebul Islam (a) – Ipswich
12:45 pm Niall Keogh (a) – Sudbury
11:01 am Marc Kuber (a) – Upper Montclair
10:34 am Bayley Lewendon (a) – Parkstone
10:23 am Kyle Murray (a) – United States
08:17 am Tim Newton (a) – South Herts
10:01 am Laurie Owen (a) – Letchworth
08:06 am Benjamin Pierleoni (a) – Berkhamsted
07:33 am Riaz Rattansi (a) – Queenwood
01:18 pm Charlie Rudge (a) – South Herts
10:23 am Mark Smith (a) – Hampstead
11:23 am Harry Walch (a) – Torrington
01:29 pm Adam Winter (a) – Woburn
08:28 am Jared Tyacke (a) – West Herts
07:55 am Robert Watkins (a) – Hadley Wood
09:39 am George Williams (a) – Knebworth
WEST LANCASHIRE – 98 players / 27 amateurs / Tee Times
11:34 am Joe Banks (a) – West Lancashire
11:50 am Richard Bee (a) – Phoenix
10:39 am Callum Blinkhorn (a) – Leigh
10:01 am William Buhl (a) – Norway
08:28 am Steven Capper (a) – Royal Liverpool
07:55 am John Carroll (a) – Huyton & Prescot
12:23 pm Oliver Claireaux (a) – Portal
08:44 am Ethan Davies (a) – Royal Birkdale
08:17 am Jacob Davies (a) – Rhuddlan
11:34 am Thomas Doran (a) – Delamere Forest
11:12 am Michael Downes (a) – The Mere
07:11 am Thomas Froom (a) – Nefyn & District
12:34 pm Paul Goodman (a) – Huyton & Prescot
10:50 am Stephen Hargreaves (a) – Leasowe
12:23 pm Matthew Hibbs (a) – Broome Manor
10:28 am George Holland (a) – Southport & Ainsdale
07:44 am James Holland (a) – Southport & Ainsdale
10:17 am Lewis Johansen (a) – Caldy
11:01 am Rasmus Lind (a) – Denmark
12:45 pm Daniel Maguire (a) – Houghwood
11:23 am Mark Millhouse (a) – Royal St David’s
08:44 am George Mitchell (a) – Astbury
09:50 am Dominic O’Brien (a) – Warrington
08:06 am Jack Suttie (a) – Denton
07:22 am Jamie Van Wyk (a) – Royal Lytham & St Annes
12:01 pm Neil Williams (a) – Formby
07:22 am Joseph Williamson (a) – Heswall
WILDERNESSE – 119 players / 34 amateurs / Tee Times
07:33 am Bradley Bawden (a) – Rochford Hundred
11:01 am Joshua Bristow (a) – Canterbury
10:12 am Liam Burns (a) – Chislehurst
09:39 am Harvey Byers (a) – Walton Heath
09:17 am Zachary Chegwidden (a) – Orsett
02:02 pm Philip Coles (a) – Germany
10:50 am Christopher Cornwall (a) – Dubai Creek
12:18 pm Oscar Doran (a) – Delamere Forest
08:17 am Jack Dyer (a) – Boyce Hill
08:39 am James Earl (a) – Tandridge
10:34 am Nic Elliott (a) – Tandridge
01:40 pm Mason Essam (a) – Dartford
07:33 am Giles Gill (a) – Plum Creek
02:24 pm Miles Gray (a) – Etchinghill
11:23 am Jamie Guppy (a) – Littlestone
02:13 pm Nigel Harrington (a) – Worthing
11:34 am Jensen Hull (a) – Hever Castle
11:23 am Danny Jones (a) – Wildernesse
07:11 am Maxwell Jones (a) – West Sussex
09:06 am Jason Lebrasseur (a) – Belgium
07:11 am Oliver Lewis-Perkins (a) – Mid Kent
07:22 am Jackson Massey (a) – Surrey National
08:55 am Nicholas Panting (a) – Rochester & Cobham
08:39 am Kipp Popert (a) – Wildernesse
01:29 pm James Reiss (a) – Aldeburgh
02:02 pm Samuel Robertson (a) – Chestfield
09:28 am Harry Robson (a) – Orsett
07:00 am Stephen Shephard (a) – United States
08:06 am Sam Statham (a) – Knole Park
08:55 am Lukas Warren (a) – Thorndon Park
07:22 am Danny Western (a) – Gorleston
08:28 am Mark Williams (a) – Emirates
07:44 am Jamie Wood (a) – Rochester & Cobham Park
07:55 am James Zytynski (a) – Royal Ashdown Forest
Final Qualifying
Final Qualifying will be held over 36 holes at Notts (Hollinwell), Prince’s, St Annes Old Links and Fairmont St. Andrews on Tuesday 2nd July.
Here is a list of the amateur exemptions for Final Qualifying: –
Playing members of the 2017 Walker Cup Trophy Teams.
The Amateur Champions 2014-2018.
The US Amateur Champions 2013-2017.
The International European Amateur Champions 2013-2017.
The 2018 English, Scottish, Irish and Welsh Amateur Champions, from the respective closed Amateur
Championships.
The runners-up in each of the 2019 Amateur Championship, 2019 European Amateur Championship and 2018 US Amateur Championship.
The leading 10 WAGR ranked players, not otherwise exempt as at WAGR Week 21.
The Boys Amateur Champion 2018.
The 2019 Latin America Amateur Champion and runner(s)-up.
The 2018 Asia-Pacific Amateur Champion and runners(s)-up.
The above are only applicable if the entrant concerned is still an amateur.
The three leading players at each of theses events will advance to the Open Championship to be played at Royal Portrush G.C. on 18th – 21st July.
As always 156 players will contest The Open, with the majority of these being exempted into the field.
Amateur exemptions directly into The Open Championship include: –
The Amateur Champion for 2019 – James SUGRUE (IRE)
The U.S. Amateur Champion 2018 – Viktor HOVLAND (NOR)
The European Amateur Champion for 2019 – to be played 26th – 29th June.
The Mark H McCormack Medal (Men’s World Amateur Golf RankingTM) winner for 2018 – Braden THORNBERRY (USA)
The Asia-Pacific Amateur Champion 2018 – Takumi KANAYA (JAP)
The above are only applicable if the entrant concerned is still an amateur. Hovland and Thornberry have both turned Pro thus foregoing their exemptions.
For more information on the Low Amateur prize at The Open Championship you may like to take a look at this article – ‘The Open Championship’s Silver Medal’.
James SUGRUE (IRE) won the 124th Amateur Championship at Portmarnock G.C. on a near perfect day for golf.
He becomes the 8th Irish winner of the title following in the footsteps of Jimmy Bruen, Max McCready, Joe Carr, Garth McGimpsey, Michael Hoey, Brian McElhinney and most recently Alan Dunbar in 2012.
He beat Euan WALKER (SCO) by 2 Holes in a pulsating Final which went the full 36 holes.
The Mallow G.C. (County Cork) member can now look forward to playing in The Open, The Masters and U.S. Open over the next 12 months. He is additionally assured of a place in the Great Britain & Ireland (GB&I) Walker Cup team which will face USA at Royal Liverpool G.C. in September.
James Sugrue and Euan Walker (Photo: Pat Cashman)
Sugrue (22) made a dream start this morning. A combination of aggressive play off the tee, good chipping and confident holing out saw him build a 5Up lead after the first nine holes.
Walker started to settle on the back nine helped in no small part by holing a 50ft putt for a winning birdie on the 10th. When he then birdied the par 5 13th to reduce the deficit to 3 Down the match was certainly back on.
After both players bogeyed the long par 3 15th Sugrue moved to 4Up after Walker bogeyed the 17th. However, the extended advantage was short lived; an untidy 18th, with Sugrue taking four to get down from the green side after a duffed chip, ended with Walker taking the home hole with a bogey to go into lunch just 3 Down.
It was the Irishman who struck first in the afternoon with a birdie on the 2nd but this was quickly given back when he bogeyed the next.
With both players now comfortable with their surroundings and the large crowd the play became much improved. Walker produced four birdies to Sugrue’s two over the next ten holes to claw his way back into the match. When Sugrue bogeyed the 16th Walker had completed the comeback – we were All Square with three holes to play.
However, the exertions of regaining parity having been 5 Down after nine holes perhaps took too much out of the Scotsman. He will no doubt be disappointed with his play over the remaining two holes.
Firstly, a poor pitch on 17 opened the door to Sugrue who bravely two-putted from the front of the green to go 1Up.
Fortune then favoured Sugrue as his drive on the 18th bounced out of a fairway bunker, finishing on the mown top, whilst Walker found heavy rough well right. Both players did well to get just over the 18th green with their seconds before Walker’s first putt failed to climb a steep bank and he ultimately ended up conceding the hole to Sugrue’s tap in bogey. The home crowd which had swelled to around 3,000 cheered loudly as Sugrue and Ireland had won by 2 Holes.
Speaking to The R&A afterwards Sugrue said “It is hard to believe really. It hasn’t sunk in yet. Just to think about this win is unbelievable. Everything that comes with the win and all the crowds that were out there, it’s incredible. I’m just kind of happy I did it for the crowds, really, as I didn’t want all those people who came out to support me to see me end up losing. It’s more relief than anything else really to get over the line, especially after being three up going into the afternoon session. I’m just delighted to do it.”
Sugrue v. Walker Final Scores (Photo: The R&A / Golfbox)
The 125th Amateur Championship will be played at Royal Birkdale and West Lancashire G.C.’s in England from 15th – 20th June 2020.
ME.
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21st June 2019
Semi-Finals
Semi-Final Results (Photo: The R&A / Golfbox)
David MICHELUZZI (AUS) played James SUGRUE (IRE) in the first Semi-Final in a game that understandably attracted a large following at Portmarnock. After an up and down front nine the Irishman took control around the turn and saw out the match relatively comfortably.
Micheluzzi v. Sugrue Semi-Final Scores (Photo: The R&A / Golfbox)
In the second Semi-Final Euan WALKER (SCO) got the better of Ben JONES (ENG). A birdie on the par 5 6th had given the Scotsman the early lead but this was soon overturned when he bogeyed both 8 and 9. Despite starting the back nine 1 Down Walker’s steadier play over the closing holes enabled him to eventually gain the upper hand.
Walker v. Jones Semi-Final Scores (Photo: The R&A / Golfbox)
The first Quarter Final between David MICHELUZZI (AUS) and Cameron SISK (USA) proved to be a tight affair with neither player ever leading by more than one hole. In the end a birdie on the 18th proved decisive for the Australian who broke the deadlock to win by 1 Hole.
James SUGRUE (IRE) started nervously in his game against Koen KOUWENAAR (NED) and was 2 Down after four holes. He recovered to All Square after the Dutchman found trouble on both the 8th and 9th, two longish par fours. Birdies were exchanged on 13 and 14 with first Sugrue taking the lead before Kouwenaar immediately bounced back. A bogey on 16 by the Mallow man appeared to have opened the door to his opponent but after the 17th was halved in par he holed a 15 footer on the final green for a birdie to save the day. When Kouwenaar then bogeyed the 1st Sugrue made no mistake with his safe par delighting the home crowd.
After a tight front nine where Sandy SCOTT (SCO) and Euan WALKER (SCO) matched each other shot for shot the third Quarter Final came alive at the start of the back nine. Scott birdied the 11th and after Walker bogeyed the next the Nairn player found himself 2Up with 6 holes to play. Walker birdied the par 5 13th to reduce the deficit and then quickly moved ahead after his compatriot handed him the 14th and 16th with bogeys. Like Sugrue in the game in front Scott refused to be beaten, his birdie on 18th forcing extra holes. The recovery was to be short-lived however as Walker composed himself to take the match on the 19th.
Ben JONES (ENG) beat Ronan MULLARNEY (IRE) 3&1 in the final match this morning. After the front nine finished All-Square Jones played the difficult back nine in 3-under par to win well. Birdies on the 12th, 13th and 16th holes were the difference on the day.
James SUGRUE (IRE) and Ronan MULLARNEY (IRE) both kept Irish hopes for a home winner alive with Last 16 wins this afternoon.
Mullarney beat Matty LAMB (ENG) by 1 Hole in Round 4. Having led 5Up after 11 holes Mullarney required a par on the last to finally take care of Lamb who fought right to the end.
Euan WALKER (SCO) and Sandy SCOTT (SCO) delivered the all-Scottish quarter final by both winning close matches.
Ben JONES (ENG) will play Mullarney tomorrow, both players will be playing their fifth game having come through the Preliminary Round.
Round 4 Results (Photo: The R&A / Golfbox)
Round 3
Day 2 of Match Play started badly for GB&I with medalist Tom PLUMB (ENG), Tom SLOMAN (ENG), Billy MCKENZIE (ENG) and Angus FLANAGAN (ENG) all falling to disappointing losses.
James SUGRUE (IRE) got things back on track. He was 3 Down with four holes to play before securing a memorable 1 Hole victory over Christoffer PÅLSSON (SWE). Sugrue gained revenge for a Round 3 loss to the Swede at Royal Aberdeen last year.
James ROBINSON‘s (ENG) run came to an end but not without some fight. He eventually lost on the 21st hole to Sergio PARRIEGO CORNEJO (ESP).
Euan WALKER (SCO) and Sandy SCOTT (SCO) both secured wins to keep alive hopes of an all-Scottish Quarter Final match.
The final four matches of the morning series all went the way of the home player with Ronan MULLARNEY (IRE), Matty LAMB (ENG), Bailey GILL (ENG) and Ben JONES (ENG) continuing their good form.
Round 3 Results (Photo: The R&A / Golfbox)
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19th June 2019
Round 2
Despite my complaints below about the unfairness of his draw Medalist Tom PLUMB (ENG) took little time in despatching 41st seed Alejandro DEL RAY GONZALEZ (ESP) 7&5 this morning.
Tom SLOMAN (ENG) was made to work very hard for his 1 hole win over Joe PAGDIN (ENG). Sloman trailed from the start and was 3 down with 6 holes to play but managed to overturn the deficit over Portmarnock’s challenging finishing holes.
It was obvious from the Stroke Play Qualifying that no match would be over until it was over given par was often going to be good enough to take many holes coming home.
Billy MCKENZIE (ENG) handed a heavy 7&6 defeat to an out of sorts David LANGLEY (ENG), damaging the latter’s hopes of forcing his way into the GB&I Walker Cup team.
Germany’s Matthias SCHMID, back from Louisville University for the summer, provided the biggest win of Round 2, taking out Sam DONE (ENG) 9&8.
Angus FLANAGAN (ENG) produced the best comeback of the day. He was 5 Down with 6 to play but somehow managed to beat last week’s St. Andrews Links Trophy winner Jake BURNAGE (ENG) on the 20th hole.
Harry HALL (ENG) was also undone by the finishing holes; 1 Up with 3 to play fellow Walker Cup panelist James SUGRUE (IRE) came through to win by 2 holes.
The final match in the Upper Half of the draw saw surprise package James ROBINSON (ENG) comfortably dispose of Therion NEL (RSA) 4&3. Nel is currently ranked 88th in the SPWAR whilst Robinson sits 1,319th.
Round 2 Upper Half Results (Photo: The R&A / Golfbox)
In the Lower Half of the Match Play draw Euan WALKER (SCO) showed all of his fighting qualities to come from behind to beat Eanna GRIFFIN (IRE) by 2 holes.
Caolan RAFFERTY (IRE) will be disappointed not to have got past Finland’s far less experienced Jonatan JOLKKONEN.
In two tight matches Daniel O’LOUGHLIN (ENG) overcame Midlands rival Sam BROADHURST (ENG) on the first extra hole and Sandy SCOTT (SCO) beat Markus BRAADLIE (NOR) by 1 hole, the Norwegian perhaps tiring a little having also played in the Preliminary this morning.
Matty LAMB (ENG) secured his second victory of the day and in taking out Yurav PREMLALL (RSA) 3&1 ended South African interest in the Championship.
Bailey GILL (ENG) also enjoyed a good 4 &2 win over University of South Florida’s Albin BERGSTRÖM (SWE). Bergström had enjoyed an award winning Freshman season in the U.S. so will have arrived in Ireland with a lot of confidence.
Ben JONES (ENG) would have to be my ‘Player of the Day’ though, firstly beating Jayden SCHAPER (RSA / SPWAR #10) in 22 holes this morning before going all the way to the 18th green with John AXELSEN (DEN / SPWAR #151) this afternoon. I am sure his fighting spirit will not have been lost on the watching Walker Cup selectors.
Round 2 Lower Half Results (Photo: The R&A / Golfbox)
The Match Play Stage of The Amateur Championship, which is being played exclusively at Portmarnock G.C., started at 7.00am this morning.
76 players made the top 64 and ties cut.
As a result the 24 lowest scoring qualifiers had to play a Preliminary Round 1 to produce the final 12 players required to make up the 64 needed for Round 2.
Sam BROADHURST (ENG), Ronan MULLARNEY (IRE), Matty LAMB (ENG) and Ben JONES (ENG) all came through the Preliminary Round to take their place in Round 2.
Preliminary Round 1 Results (Photo: The R&A / Golfbox)
Every year I complain about the use by The R&A of a Preliminary Round rather than using a play-off or card count back to produce the 64 players needed for the first round proper.
This year because of the Preliminary Round medalist Tom PLUMB (ENG), who would be playing the 64th qualifier in a clean draw, has been paired with the 41st qualifier Alejandro DEL REY GONZALEZ (ESP).
Take a look at the table below which outlines how the 76 Stroke Play seeds fed through into this year’s Amateur Championship draw and how this compares with a Standard 64 player Match Play draw.
You will see most of the leading qualifiers end up playing against higher rated players than they deserve to. The only beneficiaries being those players who receive the winners of the Preliminary Round in the Lower Half of the draw.
Upper Half Draw
Lower Half Draw
Amateur ‘19
Standard
Amateur ‘19
Standard
1 vs
41
64
22 vs
47
43
32 vs
50
33
11 vs
36
54
16 vs
38
49
27 vs
37
38
17 vs
35
48
6 vs
34
59
8 vs
44
57
19 vs
57 vs 53
46
25 vs
39
40
14 vs
70 vs 54
51
9 vs
51
56
30 vs
75 vs 73
35
24 vs
48
41
3 vs
64 vs 60
62
4 vs
42
61
23 vs
61 vs 62
42
29 vs
49
36
10 vs
69 vs 56
55
13 vs
43
52
26 vs
76 vs 58
39
20 vs
40
45
7 vs
66 vs 55
58
5 vs
46
60
18 vs
59 vs 67
47
28 vs
33
37
15 vs
72 vs 71
50
12 vs
52
53
31 vs
65 vs 63
34
21 vs
45
44
2 vs
68 vs 74
63
ME.
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18th June 2019
Tom PLUMB (ENG) secured Stroke Play medalist honours at The Amateur today after posting an aggregate 36 hole score of 139 (-4). Plumb shot a second round 71 (-1) at Portmarnock.
In the last group out John AXELSEN (DEN) recorded a 69 at Portmarnock to pull level with Plumb on 139 (-4). However, he lost out on count back; his 72 (I 37 / P 35) was four shots more than Plumb’s (I 33 / P 35) on the aggregate of the two back nines.
Sandy SCOTT (SCO) was 3rd after a 69 at The Island left him on 140 (-3).
William BUHL (NOR) and Harry HALL (ENG) were tied 4th on 141 (-2).
Conditions were favourable today with sunny intervals and a modest breeze.
The best rounds of the day at Portmarnock belonged to Caolan RAFFERTY (IRE), Euan MCINTOSH (SCO) and Mason ANDERSEN (USA) who all posted 68’s (-4) to qualify.
Caolan Rafferty’s and Euan McIntosh’s Scorecards (Photo: The R&A / Getty Images)
The average Round 2 score at Portmarnock was 75.33 (+3.33).
Blake WINDRED (AUS) recorded the lowest round at The Island on Day 2 with a bogey free 67 (-4). Unfortunately his 82 at Portmarnock yesterday was never going to be recoverable.
Blake Windred’s Scorecard (Photo: The R&A / Getty Images)
The average Round 2 score at The Island was 74.16 (+3.16).
24 of the 26 Great Britain & Ireland Walker Cup squad players were competing. 12 of the group made it through to the Match Play Stage. These were Thomas PLUMB (ENG) -4, Sandy SCOTT (SCO) 2nd, Harry HALL (ENG) -2, Caolan RAFFERTY (IRE) -1, Joe PAGDIN (ENG) Ev, Bailey GILL (ENG) +1, Euan MCINTOSH (SCO) +1, Tom SLOMAN (ENG) +2, Euan WALKER (SCO) +2, Jake BURNAGE (ENG) +2, James SUGRUE (IRE) +3 and Ben JONES (ENG) +4.
14 other GB&I players qualified, namely, David LANGLEY (ENG) -1, Jake BOLTON (ENG) -1, Eanna GRIFFIN (IRE) Ev, Angus FLANAGAN (ENG) +1, James ROBINSON (ENG) +1, Connor MCKINNEY (SCO) +1, Ben HUTCHINSON (ENG) +1, Daniel O’LOUGHLIN (ENG) +2, Sam DONE (ENG) +2, Billy MCKENZIE (ENG) +2, Ronan MULLARNEY (IRE) +4, Jack AINSCOUGH (ENG) +4, Sam BROADHURST (ENG) +4 and Matty LAMB (ENG) +4.
As predicted the top 64 and ties Match Play cut fell at 147 (+4) with a total of 76 players progressing. The 24 lowest scoring qualifiers will therefore be involved in a Preliminary Round to establish the final 64 players.
Looking ahead to tomorrow’s Match Play here are the Stroke Play Qualifying hole-by-hole statistics for Portmarnock G.C. which may assist with strategy: –
ME.
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17th June 2019
Geoff LENEHAN (IRE) and Tom MCKIBBIN (N.I.) played the first tee shots of the 124th Amateur Championship at 7.00am this morning at Portmarnock G.C. and The Island G.C. respectively.
On a breezy but dry day on the east coast of Ireland the scoring was relatively high. Just 17 players in the field of 288 recorded an under par score.
Anton ALBERS (GER) was the low man at Portmarnock in Round 1 of the Stroke Play Qualifying with a 4-under par 68.
Anton Albers’ Round 1 Scorecard (Photo: The R&A / Getty Images)
There was a total of six under par rounds at Portmarnock. Sandy SCOTT (SCO), who recorded a 71 (-1), provided one of them.
The average score at Portmarnock in Round 1 was 77.47 (+5.47).
Ayoub SSOUADI (MOR) and Harry HALL (ENG) both recorded 67’s (-4) at The Island to share the Day 1 lead with the German.
Ayoub Ssouadi’s and Harry Hall’s Round 1 Scorecards (Photo: The R&A / Getty Images)
A total of 11 under par rounds were posted at The Island. Tom PLUMB (ENG) 68 (-3), James ROBINSON (ENG) and Tom SLOMAN (ENG) both 69 (-2), Curtis KNIPES (ENG), David LANGLEY (ENG) and Joe PAGDIN (ENG) all 70 (-1) led the way for Great Britain & Ireland.
The average score at The Island in Round 1 was 75.14 (+4.14).
The projected top 64 and ties match play cut mark looks like being 147 (+4). This is based on the fact that after Round 1 27 players are tied 52nd on +2. 31 of these 78 players played at Parmarnock and 47 at The Island.
Caolan RAFFERTY (IRE) I +3, Ronan MULLARNEY (IRE) P +3, Alex FITZPATRICK (ENG) P +3, David HAGUE (ENG) P +3, Euan WALKER (SCO) P +3, Jake HAPGOOD (WAL) P +4, Tom MCKIBBIN (IRE) I +4, Robin WILLIAMS (ENG) P +4, Akshay BHATIA (USA) P +4, Jayden SCHAPER (RSA) P +4, James SUGRUE (IRE) P +5, Conor PURCELL (IRE) I +5, Ben JONES (ENG) P +5, Euan MCINTOSH (SCO) I +5, Wilco NIENABER (RSA) P +5, Ryan LUMSDEN (SCO) P +6, Ben CHAMBERLAIN (WAL) I +6, Josh MCMAHON (ENG) P +6, Jamie STEWART (SCO) P +7, John MURPHY (IRE) I +7, Tiarnan MCLARNON (IRE) I +8 and Blake WINDRED (AUS) P +10 are therefore amongst the more notable players who can afford few mistakes tomorrow.
ME.
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14th June 2019
The 124th Amateur Championship starts on Monday 17th June at Portmarnock Golf Club and The Island Golf Club. Both courses are located a short distance to the north east of Dublin city centre in Ireland.
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.
Format
288 players will play two stroke play qualifying rounds, one round on each course, on Monday 17th and Tuesday 18th June.
The 64 players with the lowest 36 hole scores, and ties for 64th place, will advance to the match play stage and be seeded in line with their qualifying finishes. A preliminary round will be used if more than 64 players qualify. [I would prefer there to be a play-off or an aggregate count back so there can be a clean draw made.]
The match play stage will then be played solely at Portmarnock between Wednesday 19th and Saturday 22nd June.
Matches will be played over 18 holes except for Saturday’s Final which will be contested over 36 holes. Extra sudden death holes will be used in all games if necessary.
Players
The 288 players are drawn firstly from a number of exempt categories covering various Championship performances and representative team selections. Thereafter places are allocated to those players ranked 1st – 2,000th in the WAGR as at 15th May 2019. The lowest non-exempt WAGR player in the field is currently Islam HABEBUL (ENG) at #939.
Looking at the current SPWAR, my preferred amateur ranking, there are 19 of the top 50 players competing. These are Jayden SCHAPER (RSA) 9th, Conor PURCELL (IRE) 10th, Caolan RAFFERTY (IRE) 12th, Blake WINDRED (AUS) 14th, Wilco NIENABER (RSA) 19th, David MICHELUZZI (AUS) 22nd, Euan WALKER (SCO) 25th, Harry HALL (ENG) 27th, Jake BURNAGE (ENG) 29th, Tom SLOMAN (ENG) 32nd, Alejandro DEL REY GONZALEZ (ESP) 33rd, Keita NAKAJIMA (JAP) 34th, Tom PLUMB (ENG) 38th, David LANGLEY (ENG) 39th, Yurav PREMLALL (RSA) 41st, Ben JONES (ENG) 43rd, Bailey GILL (ENG) 45th, Matthias SCHMID (GER) 47th and Stefano MAZZOLI (ITA) 49th.
Players from 34 different countries will contest the 2019 Amateur Championship.
England have 54 players in the field, Ireland 22, Scotland 18 and Wales 5.
Outside of the home nations the best represented countries are USA (27), France (24), Germany (16), Spain (16), Sweden (12), Italy (11), Australia (11), Denmark (9), South Africa (8) and Finland (8).
Whilst there are a large number of Americans playing it again remains the case that the vast majority of their leading players continue to skip the Championship. It is disappointing but perhaps understandable that most of them prefer to play in the Northeast Amateur Invitational at Wannamoisett C.C. in Providence, Rhode island – an event that starts on Wednesday 19th June. Without their participation The Amateur will always lack a little something despite the Major exemptions on offer. The best American this year is Cole MADEY (SPWAR 54) albeit Akshay BHATIA (SPWAR 101) is a notable junior.
Stewart HAGESTAD (USA), Daniel HILLIER (NZL) and Chun An “Kevin” YU (TPE) all qualified for the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach and were sadly all late withdrawals.
12 Reserves were called upon since the original draw was made on 20th May.
Portmarnock G.C.’s Promotional Video For The Amateur Championship (3:13)
Host Courses
This is only the second time that The Amateur has been staged outside Great Britain. Portmarnock hosted the Championship 70 years ago in 1949 with Max McCready overcoming Willie Turnesa 2&1 in the Final.
Situated on its own peninsula Portmarnock G.C., which was opened in 1894, will play to 7,422 yards and a par of 72. Whilst the front nine is longer by 150 yards it is the strong finishing holes for which the links are renowned.
The Island G.C. was founded in 1890 and as its name suggests was originally only accessible by ferry boat. It plays to 7,019 yards from the back tees and has a par of 71.
Weather Forecast (as at Monday 16th June)
The weather forecast looks resonable, with little rain and a fairly consistent south westerly wind expected: –
Mon 17th June – Sunny. Wind 17 mph SW. Temp. Max. 17°C / Min 10°C.
Tue 18th June – Sunny. Wind 10 mph SW. Temp. Max. 18°C / Min 9°C.
Wed 19th June – Showers PM. Wind 12 mph SW. Temp. Max. 16°C / Min 9°C.
Thu 20th June – Cloudy. Wind 13 mph W. Temp. Max. 15°C / Min 7°C.
Fri 21st June – Sunny. Wind 12 mph SW. Temp. Max. 16°C / Min 9°C.
Sat 22nd June – Cloudy. Wind 13 mph SE. Temp. Max. 17°C / Min 11°C.
Players will tee off between 7.00am and 3.52pm on Monday and Tuesday so changes in the weather and wind speed may have a role to play in 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 a tie decided on the lowest aggregate score for the second nine holes on both courses (or six or three or one).
The winner of the match play stage will become the Champion Amateur Golfer for the year and is awarded 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 next month’s 148th Open Championship being staged at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland.
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 2020 U.S. Open Championship which is being held at Winged Foot G.C. in Mamaroneck, New York.
Finally, there is an informal rule that any GB&I player who wins the Amateur Championship in a Walker Cup year will be automatically selected for our team.
2018 Amateur Championship
Jovan REBULA (RSA) won the 2018 Amateur Championship beating Robin DAWSON (IRE) 3&2 in the 36 hole Final played at Royal Aberdeen G.C.
He was the first South African winner since Bobby Cole in 1966.
Jovan Rebula (Photo: The R&A / Mark Runnacles / Getty Images)
Fellow South African Wilco NIENABER was medalist in the preceeding Stroke Play Qualifying. He shot a 66 at Murcar Links and a 67 at Royal Aberdeen G.C. for a 133 (-8) total.
The top 64 and ties match play cut fell at +6 with 77 players progressing. There were 30 GB&I qualifiers amongst this number.
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. 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.
The Amateur Championship Trophy (Photo: Dominik Holyer)
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 Jovan Rebula’s win in 2018 the previous 10 winners of The Amateur Championship were: –
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 (IRE) – Royal Troon G.C.
2011 Bryden Macpherson (AUS) – Hillside G.C.
2010 Jin Jeong (KOR) – Muirfield
2009 Matteo Manassero (ITA) – Formby G.C.
2008 Reinier Sexton (NED) – Trump Tunberry
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.
Jake BURNAGE (ENG) from Saunton G.C. is the 2019 St. Andrews Links Trophy champion.
In a superb performance he recorded a 268 (-20) total and completed a remarkable comeback, having started the day 6 shots back of the leader Matty LAMB (ENG).
Talking to the St. Andrews Links Trust organisers afterwards Jake said “I love this pace that’s for sure. It’s basically my home because I’m a links golfer. It’s nothing new for myself. I forgot about last year (when he finished tied 3rd) and concentrated on doing the job this year. It’s amazing to turnaround and you suddenly see a lot of people behind you. It’s pretty cool. I love a crowd. I’m not scared of one, I’d much prefer to have one than not have one that’s my take on it.”
Burnage rose 96 places to 30th in the updated Scratch Players World Amateur Ranking and as an existing initial squad member now looks a certainty for the GB&I Walker Cup team.
Jake Burnage and Family (Photo: Burnage Family)
Matty LAMB (ENG) finished 2nd and whilst he will be frustrated there was much to admire in his play this week.
Today’s 36 holes were never going to be a straight forward coronation for Lamb and with conditions much better than originally expected there was always hope for the chasing pack.
Burnage made inroads this morning reducing Lamb’s lead to 3 shots at lunch.
Both players completed the front nine this afternoon in level par, Lamb appearing to be the steadier. However, Burnage then seized the initiative on the 10th with a birdie, reducing Lamb’s lead to 2 shots. The 618 yard par 5 14th proved to be the 2019 Championship’s pivotal hole. Burnage eagled from 10 feet whilst Lamb bogeyed. The three shot swing suddenly put Burnage in the driving seat, now with a 1 shot advantage with four holes to play. A little surprisingly, given the holes in question and the circumstances, both players pared in and the man from Devon was crowned the winner.
Caolan RAFFERTY (IRE) shot 66 this afternoon to secure 3rd place on 271 (-17). James WILSON (SCO) 67 and Ben HUTCHINSON (ENG) 68 also finished strongly to tied for 4th on 275 (-13).
Bailey GILL (ENG) recorded the best Round 4 score. His 65 lifted him up to tied 12th.
The Final Results (Photo: St Andrews Links Trust / Intelligent Golf)
The good news for Matty LAMB (ENG) was he shot a solid 69 (-3) in his morning around on the Old Course. Five birdies were offset by a double bogey 6 on the 16th. As a result he continues to lead the St. Andrews Links Trophy on -20 after 54 holes.
The bad news was his nearest challenger Jake BURNAGE (ENG) showed no signs of going away. The Devonian shot the best round of the remaining 40 players; a 66 (-6) including 7 birdies to move onto -17, now only 3 shots back with 18 holes to play.
The final pair are playing some great golf including these two par rescues on the Road Hole – well worth a watch.
Box office stuff this! Two fighting fours from our leaders on the Road Hole 17th. Jake Burnage from the road, Matty Lamb from the infamous Road Hole Bunker. It’s looking more and more like a two horse race to win the 2019 #LinksTrophypic.twitter.com/OyouU7rDbD
Matty LAMB (ENG) followed yesterday’s 64 (-8) on the Jubilee Course with an even more impressive 63 (-9) on the Old Course today. After a bogey on the relatively straight forward first he produced 10 birdies in his remaining 17 holes, finishing with a back nine of 29.
It is believed that Lamb’s back nine 29 is the first recorded in a competitive round on the Old Course.
I also assume his 127 (-17) 36 hole total must be a Championship record.
Conditions were a little better than anticipated with fewer showers and only modest winds all day. There were numerous low scores once again as the links was left relatively defenceless.
Jake BURNAGE (ENG) recorded the second best round of the day with a 64 (-8) to move into 2nd on -11.
One shot further back are Caolan RAFFERTY (IRE) and Thomas PLUMB (ENG). Rafferty shot a 65 to move himself nicely into the mix whilst Yeovil’s Plumb produced a steadier 70. Both players will start the final day on -10.
The top 40 and ties cut fell at 140 (-4) with 40 players progressing to the final day.
Charlie STRICKLAND (ENG) recorded a 66 (-6) on Day 2 to make the cut and deliver the best recovery after his opening 74 (+2).
Colm CAMPBELL (IRE) 68, Ben CHAMBERLAIN (WAL) 68, Casey JARVIS (RSA) 68, David MICHELUZZI (AUS) 66, Joe PAGDIN (ENG) 68, Matt ROBERTS (WAL) 66 and Jamie STEWART (SCO) 68 were amongst those to enjoy good scores today. All went down fighting on the Old Course but had simply left themselves too much to do to make the cut.
Nicklas REGNER (AUT) missed the cut on 142 (-2) although he had the consolation of leaving St Andrews having holed his approach on the Old Course’s 18th hole for eagle.
Round 1 was played on the Jubilee Course. With sunny intervals and just a modest breeze blowing the 6,847 yard course was there for the taking. Many of the competitors were happy to oblige particularly on the front nine which played down wind.
Matty LAMB (ENG) and Tom PLUMB (ENG) both recorded 8 under par 64’s on Day 1 to set a sparkling pace.
Tom Plumb’s Rd 1 Scorecard (Photo: St Andrews Links Trust / Intelligent Golf)
Alexander FRANCES (DEN), Kyle MICHEL (AUS), Stuart EASTON (SCO), Callum FARR (ENG) and Rowan LESTER (IRE) are all tied 2nd, two shots back of the two leaders, after 66’s (-6).
There were two notable shots in Round 1. Ronan MULLARNEY‘s (IRE) round of 68 (-4) included a hole-in-one on the 192 yard 9th hole while Euan MCINTOSH (SCO) finished his round of 69 in style by holing his approach to the 468 yard 18th.
76 of the 144 players shot an under par score on Day 1 with a further 17 on level par.
36 players scored 69 (-3) or better.
Given the very low scoring today, the forecast of rain for much of tomorrow and the top 40 and ties cut after Round 2 on the Old Course many players will have already played themselves out of the Championship. Ben CHAMBERLAIN (WAL) +3, Wilco NIENABER (RSA) +3, David MICHELUZZI (AUS) +5, Jamie STEWART (SCO) +5 and Matt SAULEZ (RSA) +8 are amongst the more notable names who would appear to have no way back.
144 golfers from 21 different countries will tee off on Friday 7th June in the 31st St. Andrews Links Trophy.
This event has become one of the ‘Majors’ in men’s amateur golf helped by its venue and timing.
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 2nd May 2019 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 – the New Course was used last year – 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 6,742 yards to a par of 72. The front nine is 3,238 yards long with a par of 36 whilst the tougher back nine is 266 yards longer but to the same par.
Jubilee Course Scorecard (Photo: St. Andrews Links Trust)
The Old Course is 6,721 yards off the white tees and has a par of 72. Both nines have a par of 36 and have similar yardages – the front is 3,336 yards long whilst the back is a little longer at 3,385 yards.
Old Course Scorecard (Photo: St. Andrews Links Trust)
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 Scratch Players World Amateur Ranking (SPWAR) placed the Links Trophy 7th in its 2018 Amateur Tournament Ranking based on the strength of it’s field. It was 8th in the same ranking in 2017.
From the Squad leading contenders Alex FITZPATRICK (ENG), Bailey GILL (ENG), Harry HALL (ENG), Ben JONES (ENG), Josh MCMAHON (ENG), Tom PLUMB (ENG), Conor PURCELL (IRE), Caolan RAFFERTY (IRE), Tom SLOMAN (ENG) and Euan WALKER (SCO) will all be looking to cement their places on the GB&I team in front of the watching selectors.
The defending champion John MURPHY (IRE) also returns to Scotland to try and become just the third player to win the Championship twice.
Of the four missing Walker Cup players Sandy SCOTT (SCO) is playing for the International Team at the Arnold Palmer Cup at The Alotian Club in Arkansas whilst Archie DAVIES (WAL), Conor GOUGH (ENG) and Mark POWER (IRE) are all busy with exams.
The attraction of St. Andrews always ensures a strong overseas entry. Blake COLLYER (AUS), Jordan DUMINY (RSA), Adrien DUMONT DE CHASSART (BEL), Mateo FERNANDEZ DE OLIVEIRA (ARG), Falko HANISCH (GER),
Michael HIRMER (GER), Alex HIETALA (FIN), Casey JARVIS (RSA), Jerry JI (NED), Jeong Weon KO (FRA), Charles LARCELET (FRA), Kyle MICHEL (AUS), David MICHELUZZI (AUS), Therion NEL (RSA), Wilco NIENABER (RSA), Yurev PREMLALL (RSA), Matt SAULEZ (RSA), Jayden SCHAPER (RSA), Sam SIMPSON (RSA) and Martin VORSTER (RSA) are amongst the most highly rated international entries.
Weather Forecast (as at Tuesday 4th June)
The current weather forecast appears mixed with rain over the weekend and swirling winds throughout.
Friday 8th June – Sunny Intervals. Wind 13 mph SE. Temp. Max. 14°C / Min 10°C.
Saturday 9th June – Heavy Rain. Wind 11 mph NE. Temp. Max. 13°C / Min 9°C.
Sunday 10th June – Light Rain. Wind 16 mph SW. Temp. Max. 15°C / Min 8°C.
Tee times in Rounds 1 and 2 start at 7.00am and end at 3.10pm so as with any links course the draw could play a big part in proceedings.
Prizes
The winner receives The St Andrews Links Trophy and a cheque for £500.
The runner-up and third place finisher also receive commemorative medals.
Reducing cash 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.
2018 St. Andrews Links Trophy
John MURPHY (IRE) beat Jannik DE BRUYN (GER) on the first play-off hole to win the 2018 St. Andrews Links Trophy.
John became the third Irish golfer to win the title following in the footsteps of Alan Dunbar (2009) and Conor O’Rourke (2016).
Both players completed the 72 holes in 278 shots (-9). De Bruyn fired a final round 68 on the Old Course to force the play-off.
John Murphy (Photo: St. Andrews Links Trust / Kenny Smith Photography)
Jake BURNAGE (ENG) and Haydn BARRON (AUS) finished tied 3rd on 279 (-8), just one shot back.
The two other leading GB&I players were Laird SHEPHERD (ENG) who tied 5th on 280 (-7) and Gian-Marco PETROZZI (ENG) whose 281 (-6) total was good enough for tied 8th.
Only Craig WATSON (1992 and 1998), the Great Britain & Ireland (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.
Stanford beat Texas 3-2-0 in today’s NCAA Division I Championship match to secure their 9th national title.
The Stanford Team (Photo: Jack Dempsey NCAA Photos)
Isaiah Salinda’s victory over Cole Hammer, who was today named as the recipient of the Division I Phil Mickelson Outstanding Freshman Award, was arguably the key game in turning the match in favour of the Cardinal.
Henry Shimp, who Alex Fitzpatrick beat yesterday morning, secured the winning point for the California team.
Click this link to view the – GOLFSTAT MATCH PLAY RESULTS – TEAM
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28th May 2019
Wake Forest lost 3-2-0 to Stanford in the quarter finals of the Match Play Stage of the NCAA Division I Men’s National Championship.
Freshman Alex FITZPATRICK (ENG), the last remaining GB&I player, led Wake Forest off against Stanford beating Junior Henry Shimp by 1 hole.
Vanderbilt, Stanford, Oklahoma State and Texas were the four victorious teams on the opening morning of match play.
Stanford beat Vanderbilt 3-2-0 in their afternoon semi-final whilst Texas overcame defending champions and stroke play medalists Oklahoma State by the same scoreline. In the latter match two of the best amateurs in the world played off; Cole Hammer beat Matthew Wolff 4&3.
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27th May 2019
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).
Matthew Wolff (Photo: Jack Dempsey NCAA Photos)
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 at the NCAA Division I Men’s Championship. Consistent rounds of 75, 73, 72 and 72 saw him post a +4 total at the testing Blessings G.C. in Arkansas.
The freshman from Sheffield helped his Wake Forest University team finish 3rd in the Team event.
Wake Forest will now play 6th placed Stanford University in the quarter finals of the Match Play Stage.
Oklahoma State justified their status as favourites by winning the 72 hole Stroke Play competition by 31 shots.
SMU defeated Clemson in a play-off to secure the final qualifying spot.
Click these links to view the – GOLFSTAT STROKE PLAY RESULTS – TEAM and INDIVIDUAL
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26th May 2019
Alex FITZPATRICK (ENG) and his Wake Forest team have both progressed to the final stroke play round of the NCAA Division I Men’s Championship.
Alex is tied 23rd on +4 after 54 holes after improving rounds of 75, 73 and 72.
The first cut sees only the top 15 teams and nine individuals not on those teams play a final 18 holes today.
Here are the 54 hole Team results: –
Harry HALL (ENG) will have been disappointed with his final round in US College golf. His 78 saw him fall to 222 +6. Placed tied 34th after Round 3 he therefore missed out on one of the leading Individual spots. His UNLV team finished on 906 +42 in tied 20th place.
John MURPHY (IRE) +17 finished tied 110th and Dev MORLEY (IRE) +18 tied 119th. Their Louisville team were 29th on 932 +68.
The final round of stroke play will be played today to establish the eight teams that will progress to match play as well as the Individual champion.
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23rd May 2019
The 2019 NCAA Division I Men’s Championship starts tomorrow at Blessings Golf Club in Fayetteville, Arkansas with The University of Arkansas hosting this year’s competition.
Blessings G.C. has just finished hosting the Women’s NCAA Division I Championship and it is fair to say that the scoring was on the high side. It was clear that this is a tricky course where strategy is very important.
30 5-man teams and 6 individuals not on those teams qualified to play through six Regional events played on 13th – 15th May. To learn more about these please read my earlier article – NCAA Division I Men’s Regionals – 2019 Preview & Results
54 holes of stroke play will be played on 24 – 26 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 27 May. After 72 holes the leading 8 teams will qualify for the match play stage and an Individual champion will be found.
Match play then takes over on 28-29 May as the Team national champions are sought on the final two days of competition.
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There are four GB&I players in action – Alex Fitzpatrick (Wake Forest), Harry Hall (UNLV), Dev Morley (Louisville) and John Murphy (Louisville).
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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 (Stanford 2nd)
Auburn (Kentucky 2nd)
Baylor (Kentucky 3rd)
Brigham Young (Pullman 2nd)
California (Myrtle Beach 4th)
Clemson (Austen 3rd)
Duke (Athens 2nd)
Georgia (Athens 1st)
Georgia Southern (Stanford 4th)
Georgia Tech (Pullman 4th)
Illinois (Myrtle Beach 1st)
LSU (Stanford 5th)
Liberty (Athens 5th) Louisville (Kentucky 4th)
North Carolina (Stanford 3rd)
North Florida (Kentucky 5th)
Ohio State (Myrtle Beach 2nd)
Oklahoma (Pullman 3rd)
Oklahoma State (Kentucky 1st)
Pepperdine (Austen 4th)
SMU (Athens 4th)
Southern California (Austen 5th)
South Carolina (Pullman 5th P/O)
Stanford (Stanford 1st)
TCU (Austen 2nd)
Texas (Austen 1st)
Texas A&M (Pullman 1st) UNLV (Myrtle Beach 5th)
Vanderbilt (Athens 3rd) Wake Forest (Myrtle Beach 3rd)
INDIVIDUALS
Kyler Dunkle – Utah (Stanford T6)
Tripp Kinney – Iowa State (Kentucky Medalist)
Julian Perico – Arkansas (Austen T6)
Billy Tom Sargent – Western Kentucky (Athens T4 P/O)
Zach Smith – UC Santa Barbara (Pullman 2nd)
Edwin Yi – Oregon (Myrtle Beach 2nd)
Defending champions Oklahoma State remain the outstanding team in U.S. college golf and will again enter the Championship as the clear favourites.
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The 2018 NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Championships were held at Karsten Creek Golf Club in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
The hosting team OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY won the team title, defeating Alabama, 5-0-0 in the match play final.
Broc EVERETT of Augusta University won the individual title. He beat Brandon Mancheno of Auburn on the first play-off hole after both players had recorded a 281 (-7) total score during the 72 hole stroke play qualifying.
Rotherham’s Ben SCHMIDT (ENG) won the 2019 English Men’s Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship finishing the competition with another hugely impressive under par round.
The Schmidt Family (Photo: Yorkshire Golf / Jonathan Plaxton)
When Schmidt took the lead on Friday night very few people would have expected the 16 year old to see out such a prestigious event with apparent ease.
In the end two 69’s over the weekend took him to a 271 (-13) finishing total and a 5 shot victory. He is believed to be the youngest ever winner of the Brabazon Trophy which was being played for the 73rd time.
To drop only 6 shots over the 72 holes at Alwoodley G.C. clearly shows the potential of the Yorkshireman who seemed to thrive on being the hometown favourite.
Ben Schmidt’s Scorecard (Photo: England Golf / GolfBox)
Schmidt and Harry HALL (ENG) were tied on -11 after 11 holes of the final round but it was the teenager who showed nerves of steel over the closing holes. He picked up birdies on the 12th and 17th and calmly pulled away from the experienced Cornishman in what was always going to be an 18 hole shoot out. Three late bogeys from the now chasing Hall helped make the tough Alwoodley finish relatively straight forward for the champion elect.
Talking to England Golf afterwards Schmidt said “It’s amazing. I played great. It’s good to get my name on the trophy and to be the youngest ever one to do it makes it even more special.”
Hall finished 2nd on -8 one shot ahead of a fast finishing Euan WALKER (SCO) whose 66 was the joint best score of the day and lifted him into 3rd place. Caolan RAFFERTY (IRE) matched the Scotsman’s -5 round earlier in the afternoon.
Ben FIRTH, also from Yorkshire, finished 4th on 280 (-4) for the best finish of his career.
In what proved to be a largely disappointing tournament for International players Kyle DE BEER (RSA) benefited from a 7-under weekend to finish tied 5th alongside David LANGLEY (ENG).
Here’s a screenshot of the leading players with a link to the full results beneath.
Round 4 saw an average score of 72.30 (+1.30). The average front nine score today was 35.83 (-0.17 to par) whilst the back nine score was 36.47 (+1.47).
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1st June 2019
Ben SCHMIDT (ENG) moved on to -11 after a third round 69 (-2) at Alwoodley. He showed no sign of nerves with a 3-under par front nine but may live to regret a final hole bogey which took the edge of a steady back nine and saw his 54 hole lead reduced to just 1 shot.
Harry HALL (ENG), who produced a new course record 63 (-8), moved back up the leaderboard and into 2nd place on -10.
Harry Hall’s Round 3 Scorecard (Photo: England Golf / GolfBox)
Jake HAPGOOD (WAL) continues to impress in Yorkshire. Three under par rounds of 69, 68 and 70 will see him enter the final day in 3rd place on -6.
Charlie THORNTON (ENG) 70 and David LANGLEY (ENG) 71 are on -5 and are tied 4th.
Luca FILIPPI (RSA) and Robin WILLIAMS (ENG) both enjoyed good days too. Their 66’s (-5) lifted them up to 7th and tied 14th respectively.
Leading Round 3 Scores (Photo: England Golf / GolfBox)
Round 3 saw the average score lowered to 71.74 helped by a reduction to 63 competing players. 64 players made the cut but Alex Dixon +4 WD before play started. The average front nine score today was 35.57 (-0.43 to par) whilst the back nine score was 36.14 (+1.17).
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31st May 2019
16 year old Ben SCHMIDT (ENG) backed up his good opening round with a 64 (-7) in Round 2. He tied the Alwoodley course record with an unblemished card and 7 birdies. He now leads the Brabazon Trophy by 3-shots on 133 (-9).
Talking to England Golf afterwards Ben said “I got off to a good start, birdieing the first three holes. Front nine was really solid, quite a few birdies. I hit a lot of good iron shots in today. I hit a couple really stiff for tap in birdies. A couple of long irons which were key for me. It’s my lowest ever round, 7-under. I’m just looking for the same again for the next few days. It’s probably not going to be 7-under again but I can’t go out with the mindset of like I’m leading. I’ve just got go out, refresh and start again. I’ve played well and putted well, key putts and long birdie putts.”
Ben Schmidt’s Round 2 Scorecard (Photo: England Golf / GolfBox)
Charlie STRICKLAND (ENG) recorded a 70 in Round 2 and will go into the weekend in 2nd place on -6.
Day 2 saw much lower scoring. There were 21 rounds in the 60’s compared with just 6 yesterday.
David LANGLEY (ENG) 67, Jake HAPGOOD (WAL) 68, Jamie STEWART (SCO) 65, Charlie THORNTON (ENG) 67, Ben FIRTH (ENG) 66, Ben HALLAM (ENG) 68, Ben JONES (ENG) 68, Ben CATON (SCO) 69, Euan WALKER (SCO) and Josh MCMAHON (ENG) all moved nicely into contention.
Of particular note Jamie Stewart’s 65 included a 29 (-7) on the front nine whilst Ben Firth’s 69, a 30 (-5) on the back nine.
Leading Round 2 Scores (Photo: England Golf / GolfBox)
The Round 2 scores followed a similar pattern to Round 1 but with easier playing conditions and more experience the scoring was better. The average front nine score today was 35.91 (-0.09 to par / Rd 1 36.70) whilst the back nine score was 37.04 (+2.04 / Rd 1 38.29). The average Round 2 score by the field was 72.95 (+1.95 / Rd 1 74.99).
64 players made the top 60 and ties cut which fell at 146 (+4). Amongst those to miss out were Jayden SCHAPER (RSA) +5, John MURPHY (IRE) +5, Oliver FARRELL (ENG) +6, Daniel O’LOUGHLIN (ENG) +7, Tom THURLOWAY (ENG) +7, David HAGUE (ENG) +8 and Kieran CANTLEY (ENG) +9.
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30th May 2019
Charlie STRICKLAND (ENG) leads the Brabazon Trophy at the end of Day 1. Charlie has shown good form in 2019 and will be delighted with an opening bogey-free 66 (-5) around the tough Alwoodley course.
Charlie Strickland’s Round 1 Scorecard (Photo: England Golf / GolfBox)
Harry HALL (ENG) is second on 68 (-3), two shots further back. Harry, who recently graduated from UNLV, travelled back from the NCAA Division I National Championship in Arkansas earlier this week and I am pleased to see he has quickly re-acclimatised to the UK.
James WILSON (SCO), Ben SCHMIDT (ENG), Jake HAPGOOD (WAL) and Jake BOLTON (ENG) are all tied 3rd on 69 (-2).
Ben Schmidt is unsurprisingly not the only Yorkshireman to be featuring at home. Bailey GILL 70 (-1), Sam BAIRSTOW 70 (-1), Charlie THORNTON 71 (Ev), winner at Alwoodley of the 2018 North of England Amateur Open, and Charlie DAUGHTREY 71 (Ev) are all in the top 15 too.
Irish pair Caolan RAFFERTY 70 (-1) and Conor PURCELL 71 (Ev) are both nicely placed despite disappointing finishes today. Both continue to be travelling nicely down the path to Walker Cup selection in my eyes.
The Round 1 scores clearly highlighted the fact that the front nine at Alwoodley is much easier than the back. As the table below shows the average front nine score was 36.70 (+0.70 to par), helped by the prevailing wind, whilst the back nine played to 38.29 (+3.29). The closing holes proved to be very challenging and their rankings show why so many of today’s rounds were ruined in the latter stages. The average round by the field was 74.99. (+3.99).
Round 1 Course Stats (Photo: England Golf / GolfBox)
As you can also see there were 9 eagles on Day 1, all on the front nine. Interestingly three of them came on par 4’s. I assume Cameron LOMBARD (ENG) and Tom THURLOWAY (ENG) both chipped in on the 305 yard 2nd but Alexander HERMANN (GER) must have holed a longer shot on the 370 yard 5th.
ME.
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27th May 2019
The 73rd English Men’s Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship for the Brabazon Trophy will be played at Alwoodley Golf Club between 30th May and 2nd June.
Alwoodley Golf Club in October 2018 (Photo: Golf Bible)
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 weekend rounds.
In the event of a tie for the Championship on Sunday, there will be a sudden death play off.
Field
164 competitors will start the 2019 Championship, an increase of 8 on last year at Frilford Heath.
England has 94 entries with 10 other countries represented.
98 players were exempted into the field based on their previous accomplishments with a further 66 progressing from two qualifiers held on 14th May 2019.
Charlie DAUGHTREY (Rotherham G.C.) and Blair MORTON (Royal Troon G.C.) shot 68’s (-2) at Lindrick to lead the way in the North Qualifier. Ben HALLAM (Wychwood Park G.C.) was one of 10 players to shoot 73 (+3) but the only one to progress as he picked up the 33rd spot on count back.
James NEWTON (ENG) finished T56 at Lindrick after a 74 (+4) to miss out. I mention this as just a few days later he easily won the Irish Amateur Open Championship at County Sligo G.C.
Liam PHIPPS (Olton G.C.) and George LEVERSUCH (Wanstead G.C.) led the qualifiers at Hindhead G.C. in the South Qualifier after both posted 66 (-4). 73 (+3) was again the cut mark with Josh DAVIS (Sedlescombe G.C.), James EARL (Tandridge G.C.) and Matt KIPPEN (Enmore Park G.C.) taking the final qualifying spots. A further 8 players missed out after the count back was applied.
Phipps went on to win The Lagonda Trophy at Gog Magog G.C. on 23rd May so is clearly confident and in form.
9th Hole, Alwoodley Golf Club in October 2018 (Photo: Golf Bible)
19 of the 26 players included in the Great Britain & Ireland (GB&I) Walker Cup Squad will be competing at Alwoodley. These are Jake BURNAGE (ENG), Kieran CANTLEY (SCO), Ben CHAMBERLAIN (WAL), Bailey GILL (ENG), David HAGUE (ENG), Harry HALL (ENG), Jake HAPGOOD (WAL), Ben JONES (ENG), Euan MCINTOSH (SCO), John MURPHY (IRE), Tom PLUMB (ENG), Conor PURCELL (IRE), Caolan RAFFERTY (IRE), Tom SLOMAN (ENG), Jamie STEWART (SCO), James SUGRUE (IRE), Tom THURLOWAY (ENG), Euan WALKER (SCO) and Robin WILLIAMS (ENG).
Other players who have shown good form in 2019 and are therefore worth keeping an eye on include Sam BAIRSTOW (ENG), Jake BOLTON (ENG), Joe BRYCE (SCO), Harvey BYERS (ENG), Stuart EASTON (SCO), Callum FARR (ENG), Oliver FARRELL (ENG), Harry GODDARD (ENG), Marc HAMMER (GER), Ben HUTCHINSON (ENG), Matty LAMB (ENG), David LANGLEY (ENG), Joe LONG (ENG), Josh MCMAHON (ENG), Wilco NIENABER (RSA), Daniel O’LOUGHLIN (ENG), Laurie OWEN (ENG), Jayden SCHAPER (RSA), Ben SCHMIDT (ENG), Charlie STRICKLAND (ENG) and Charlie THORNTON (ENG).
Last year’s Brabazon Trophy was ranked 41st by the Scratch Players World Amateur Ranking (SPWAR) based on the strength of its field. This represented a significant fall from 17thin 2017. Hopefully it will recover some of its prestige this year when the field analysis is completed.
Interestingly Alwoodley G.C. will also be broadcasting live coverage of the first round on their YouTube channel and sharing highlights across their other social media channels.
Prizes
The Winner receives the magnificent gold Brabazon Trophy shown in the photo below.
The Champion’s Prize and Brabazon Trophy (Photo: Golf Bible)
Prize vouchers will be awarded to those players finishing in the top three.
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 later in the year to the player returning the best aggregate scores in The Brabazon Trophy and The Berkshire Trophy (which will be played on 22nd and 23rd June).
Alwoodley Golf Club
Alwoodley G.C. is located on heathland a few miles north of Leeds city centre in Yorkshire.
The first design by renowned architect Dr. Alister MacKenzie, one of the founders of the Club, it was opened in 1907. Alwoodley is nowadays rightly considered one of the finest courses in Great Britain.
The recent addition of new championship tees has stretched the course to over 6,900 yards so whilst the players are in for a treat they are hopefully going to be challenged too given the par of 71.
Alwoodley G.C. Scorecard (Photo: Alwoodley G.C.)
Whilst the back nine is a little shorter it delivers a good finish with six strong finishing holes. The inward nine has the lower par of 35 and generally plays into the prevailing westerly wind.
Weather Forecast
The weather is looking good; generally dry with a modest breeze over the four days.
Thu 30th May – Showers / Wind 17 mph W / Temp. Min. 13°C, Max. 19°C. Fri 31st May – Light Cloud / Wind 14 mph SW / Temp. Min. 13°C, Max. 21°C. Sat 1st June – Light Cloud / Wind 10 mph SW / Temp. Min. 15°C / Min 23°C. Sun 2th May – Light Cloud / Wind 12 mph SW / Temp. Min. 11°C / Max. 19°C.
It is worth remembering that Rounds 1 and 2 will see players tee off the 1st from 7.00am right through until 3.40pm.
2018 Brabazon Trophy
Nick POPPLETON (ENG) won the 2018 Brabazon Trophy at Frilford Heath G.C.
Poppleton and Wilco NIENABER (RSA) both finished the 72 holes on the Red Course with 272 -16 totals.
The par 3 9thhole was used for the sudden death play-off. On the second playing of it Poppleton chipped in to take the famous title.
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 European winners include well known pros Ignacio GARRIDO (1992) and Peter HANSON (1998).
James NEWTON (ENG), from the Prestbury G.C. in Cheshire, England, has won the 2019 Irish Amateur Open Championship at County Sligo G.C.
Entering the event Newton was ranked 1,879th in the SPWAR and 2,710th in the WAGR so a victory of this magnitude has to be considered a major surprise.
He recorded rounds of 66, 66, 69 and 74 for a 275 -9 total.
Not surprisingly he started and finished a little nervously today but having settled down he played very nicely between holes 4 and 14, where he was 4 under par, to ensure he completed the job with some ease. After a triple bogey on the par 3 16th he showed good composure to par his final two holes.
“It’s nice to have a win early on in the season,” Newton said in an interview with the Golf Union of Ireland afterwards. “One of my goals was to win a 72 hole event, I’ve ticked that off quite early. I need to go back and re-evaluate my goals now. I changed coach last October and moved to Peter Barber at Didsbury Golf Club. The good has always been good enough and he has made the bad a lot better”.
James Newton’s Complete Scorecard (Photo: GUI / Golfbox)
Sadly earlier this week he failed to qualify for the Brabazon Trophy at the Lindrick Qualifier and with the above rankings has currently not made the grade for either the St. Andrews Links Trophy or The Amateur Championship. Hopefully a ‘Committee Exemption’ can be found to get him into some or all of these events in the next few weeks.
Conor PURCELL (IRE) 280 -4 finished 2nd 5-shots back. It was another excellent result for GB&I’s number 1 player, particularly coming after his missed cut at Lytham.
Josh MCMAHON (ENG), recent winner of the Lytham Trophy, also continued his good form with a tied 7th finish on +2.
The best Round 4 came from the Italian International Amateur champion Brandon DIETZEL (GER) who shot a bogey free 67. He rose 39 places to finish alongside McMahon in the Top 10.
The average score on Day 4 was 74.53 with the majority of the players again going backwards.
The Irish Amateur Open Final Results (Photo: GUI / Golfbox)
Overnight leader James NEWTON (ENG) showed no sign of nerves on Day 3. His 69 lifted him to -12 and extended his lead to 5 shots heading into tomorrow’s final round.
Scoring proved to be much tougher in Round 3 with cloudier and windier conditions finally allowing County Sligo to take some revenge on the field. The average score rising to 76.26, nearly four shots higher than in both of the opening two rounds.
With 18 holes to play tomorrow Ronan MULLARNEY (IRE) is 2nd on -7 and Arron EDWARDS-HILL (ENG) -6 3rd.
Mark POWER (IRE) benefitted from an early tee time to post a 68 (-3), the best score of the day. Like Marc Hammer yesterday he finished with an eagle 2 on the short 18th. As a result he rose 65 places to tied 28th on moving day.
Conor PURCELL‘s (IRE) consistent play, rounds of 70, 69 and 69 to date, has seen him creep up the leaderboard each day; he’s now up to tied 4th on -5. He should theoretically be able to play with a bit more freedom than his peers tomorrow so could easily mount a challenge.
Charlie STRICKLAND (ENG) shot a 1-over 72 today to finish the round on -5 for the tournament. He now sits alongside Purcell in tied 4th.
The top 50 and ties cut fell at +6 with 56 players progressing.
James NEWTON (ENG) shot a second successive 66 at the Irish Amateur Open to move into the lead on -10. In an almost identical round to yesterday he recorded one eagle (again on the 12th), four birdies and a bogey.
Ronan MULLARNEY (IRE) unsurprisingly found golf a little harder on Day 2 after the heroics of yesterday. His 72 (+1) saw him finishing Round 2 in 2nd place overall.
The best round of the day came from Marc HAMMER (GER) who shot a 7-under 64. The icing on the cake coming with a holed wedge on his final hole. Marc moved to -7 and will start tomorrow in 3rd.
Marc Hammer’s Round 2 Scorecard (Photo: GUI / Golfbox)
Five players are tied 4th for the Championship on -6. Keith EGAN (IRE) 66, Robert MORAN (IRE) 68, Charlie STRICKLAND (ENG) 69, Koen KOUWENAAR (NED) 69 and Arron EDWARDS-HILL (ENG) 69 all played their way into contention in Round 2.
It’s worth recording the consistency to date of both Moran and Edwards-Hill. They have both just bogeyed one hole over the first 36 holes on the testing County Sligo course.
Lytham Trophy winner Josh MCMAHON (ENG) is tied 9th after a 65 (-6) lifted him 50 places up the leaderboard.
The 2019 Irish Amateur Open Championship, sponsored by Flogas, starts on Thursday 16th May at County Sligo G.C. at Rosses Point, in the western province of Connacht.
County Sligo G.C. (Photo: Rossespoint.ie)
Format and Tee Times
A field of 132 golfers from 14 different countries will tee off in what will be the 81st playing of this competition.
The Irish Amateur Open is a 72-hole stroke play event organised by the Golfing Union of Ireland (GUI).
18 holes are played on the first three days before a top 50 and ties cut is made. A final 18 holes are then played by the leading competitors.
In the event of a tie for the Championship the players concerned will play 3 holes of stroke play. The player with the lowest aggregate total being the winner. If a winner still hasn’t been determined then the play-off moves to sudden death over the same holes.
The Irish Amateur Open Champion Golfer is awarded a superb silver trophy (see below). Irish winners are allowed to take the trophy back to their Club for the year whereas overseas winners must return it to the GUI after the prize presentation.
Course
County Sligo G.C.’s championship course was designed by Harry Colt and measures 7,157 yards, playing to a par of 71. The front nine is 3,557 yards long (par 36) and the back nine 3,600 yards (par 35).
Players will tee off between 7.00am and 3.15pm on each of the first three days so changes in the weather and wind speeds can be expected to play a big part in scoring.
Players
Many of GB&I’s leading amateur golfers will be competing in north west Ireland.
However the field does look weaker than in previous years when Royal County Down was the host. Players finishing the U.S. college season, some taking exams at home and the harder logistics of getting to Sligo have all contributed to this position.
There are nine members of the recently announced 26-man Great Britain & Ireland Walker Cup Squad playing; these are (Nationality / SPWAR), Jake BURNAGE (ENG / #114), Kieran CANTLEY (SCO / #450), Ben CHAMBERLAIN (WAL / #508), Jake HAPGOOD (WAL / #372), Euan MCINTOSH (SCO / #242), Mark POWER (IRE / #183), Conor PURCELL (IRE / #22), James SUGRUE (IRE / #220) and Euan WALKER (SCO / #45).
Josh MCMAHON (ENG / #123), the winner of the Lytham Trophy, is in the field as are Harry GODDARD (ENG / #173), Stephen ROGER (SCO / #326) and Laurie OWEN (ENG / #401) who also featured prominently in Lancashire.
Other players who could contend include Jake BOLTON (ENG / #276), Aaron EDWARDS-HILL (ENG / #304), Michael HIRMER (GER / #69), Matias HONKALA (FIN / #352), Jim JOHNSTON (SCO / #494), Matty LAMB (ENG / #332),David LANGLEY (ENG / #126), Peter O’KEEFFE (IRE / #659), Tiarnan MACLARNAN (IRE / #207), Ronan MULLARNEY (IRE / #120), Charlie STRICKLAND (ENG / #606), Charlie THORNTON (ENG / #459), James WILSON (SCO / #358) and Jeff WRIGHT (SCO / #569).
Weather Forecast
The latest weather forecast (as at Sunday 12th May) currently looks very good for all four competition days – mainly sunny with relatively modest winds.
Thu 16th May – Sunny Intervals / Wind 9 mph E / Temp. Min. 8°C / Max. 17°C.
Fri 17th May – Sunny Intervals / Wind 10 mph E / Temp. Min. 8°C / Max. 16°C.
Sat 18th May – Sunny Intervals / Wind 11 mph NE / Temp. Min. 8°C / Min. 16°C.
Sun 19th May – Sunny Intervals / Wind 11 mph E / Temp. Min. 9°C / Max. 17°C.
The 2018 Irish Amateur Open Championship
Robin DAWSON (IRE) completed a wire to wire victory at the 2018 Irish Amateur Open, helped in no small part by a superb 65 (-6) in Round 1.
The Tramore G.C. man started the final round 6-shots clear but after a final round 77 had to settle for a 282 (-2) total.
John GOUGH (ENG) and Alex GLEESON (IRE) tied for 2nd on +2 with Alex FITZPATRICK (ENG) one shot further back on +3, 3rd.
Golf Bible 