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The St. Andrews Trophy – 2025 Preview & Results

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Friday 25th July 2025

Great Britain & Ireland (GB&I) won The 35th St. Andrews Trophy match against Continent of Europe by 16.5-8.5 points at Real Club de la Puerta de Hierro in Madrid, Spain.

GB&I now have 27 wins in the 35 matches played with Europe having seven and there being one tie in 2016.

Only requiring 1.5 points from the nine Singles played in the final session Tyler WEAVER (ENG) and Luke POULTER (ENG) wasted no time in securing victory for GB&I with wins in the opening two games.

Commenting afterwards an elated GB&I captain Dean Robertson said “The team produced phenomenal golf. To win all four series was more than my expectations. The teamwork was magical, preparation great and I couldn’t be more proud of them all. We’ll enjoy this, reflect, and then we’ll build on this for our trip across the Atlantic.”

The GB&I Team (Photo: Aitor Alcalde / R&A / R&A via Getty Images)

Cameron ADAM (SCO) was the star man for GB&I winning all four of his games. Luke POULTER (ENG), Eliot BAKER (ENG) and Tyler WEAVER (ENG) also strongly contributed to GB&I’s victory.

Claes THRANE BORREGAARD (DEN), Tim WIEDEMEYER (GER) and Hugo LE GOFF (FRA) all won both of their singles, putting up the most resistance for a well beaten Continent of Europe team.

Click here to view the – 2025 St. Andrews Trophy Match Results

Day 2 PM Singles

GB&I ensured they would win all four sessions by taking the Day 2 afternoon Singles series 5.0-4.0.

Play commenced at 1.30pm CEST (12.30am BST) with all nine players on both sides competing.

Day 2 Singles Results (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

Tyler WEAVER (ENG) maintained his unbeaten record in this year’s match with a comprehensive 6&5 victory over Filip JAKUBČÍK (CZH) who handed the initiative to Weaver early on and was simply not in the form to ever recover it.

Weaver v. Jakubčík Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

A victorious Luke POULTER (ENG) and Gunnlauger Arni SVEINSSON (ISL) halved both par 5’s on the back nine with eagles. On the 18th Poulter holed a long bunker shot to follow Sveinsson in after he had holed a mammoth put before him.

Poulter v. SveinssonScoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

Tim WIEDEMEYER (GER), who is one of the few European players who can leave Spain with his head held high, beat the previously unbeaten Connor GRAHAM (SCO) in some style in Game 3 with another solid performance.

Graham v. Wiedemeyer Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

Hugo LE GOFF (FRA), who had trailed for most of the round, chose the optimum time to take the lead – the 18th green – as he robbed Charlie FORSTER (ENG) of a first singles win.

Forster v. Le Goff Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

Norway’s Claes Thrane BORREGAARD took advantage of a poor start by Dominic CLEMONS (ENG) and despite a valiant fight back by the Gog Magog member was able to hold on for a 1 Hole victory. Borregaard’s three consecutive birdies on 13, 14 and 15 proved crucial in the end.

Clemons v. Borregaard Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

Eliot BAKER (ENG) battled impressively to secure his win against home player Sergio JIMENEZ ROMERO. Birdies on the 16th and 18th holes enabled the Devonian to complete an unbeaten record and notably deliver two singles wins.

Baker v. Jimenez Romero Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

Gavin TIERNAN (IRL) ensured every member of the GB&I team won a game in this year’s St. Andrews Trophy match with a solid 3&2 win against Alfons BONDESSON (SWE). Tiernan led from the first hole and never looked like relinquishing his point throughout.

Tiernan v. Bondesson Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

A more consistent Richard TEDER (EST), determined to secure his first win over the match, got the better of Stuart GREHAN (IRL) by 2&1 in Game 8.

Grehan v. Teder Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

Cameron ADAM (SCO) completed a four-out-of-four win record for GB&I with an error free performance against Kristian HJORT BRESSUM (DEN) who will be rueing his play around the turn where he essentially handed the win to the in-form Scotsman.

Adam v. Hjort Bressum Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

Day 2 AM Foursomes

GB&I matched their Foursomes performance of yesterday winning the Day 2 series 3.5-0.5.

Trailing 11.5-4.5 after this session any hope Continent of Europe had of retaining the trophy they won with ease last year at Royal Porthcawl was effectively ended.

Play on Friday started at 8.30am CEST (7.30am BST) at Real Club de la Puerta de Hierro on the outskirts of Madrid.

GB&I captain Dean Robertson understandably made no changes to his successful Day 1 pairings with Gavin TIERNAN (IRL) again left out.

Sergio JIMENEZ ROMERO (ESP) was dropped by captain Carlos de Corral from the Continent of Europe’s Foursomes line up. De Corral also chose to tweak his pairings with Gunnlauger Arni SVEINSSON (ISL) joining Filip JAKUBČÍK (CZH) and new-boy Alfons BONDESSON (SWE) paired with Hugo LE GOFF (FRA).

Day 2 Foursomes Results (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

Tyler WEAVER (ENG) & Connor GRAHAM (SCO) finally overcame Gunnlauger Arni SVEINSSON (ISL) & Filip JAKUBČÍK (CZH) on the 18th hole in what was generally a high class match with plenty of birdies.

Weaver & Graham v. Jakubčík & Sveinsson Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

A strong finish from Tim WIEDEMEYER (GER) & Richard TEDER (EST) nearly helped them successfully turnaround their game against Luke POULTER & Charlie FORSTER but the English pair were able to salvage a good half with a crucial birdie on the par 5 18th.

Poulter & Forster v. Wiedemeyer & Teder Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

Six birdies from Eliot BAKER (ENG) & Stuart GREHAN (IRL) ensured they won Game 3 against Hugo LE GOFF (FRA) & Alfons BONDESSON (SWE) by 2 Holes albeit the final one on the 18th was much needed to close this one out.

Baker & Grehan v. Le Goff & Bondesson Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

Cameron ADAM (SCO) & Dominic CLEMONS (ENG) beat the out of sorts Danish pairing of Kristian HJORT BRESSUM & Claes THRANE BORREGAARD in the final morning game. Whilst Adam & Clemons were unable to match the closing birdie that the three GB&I pairings all achieved ahead of them they had already done enough to earn the final Foursomes point.

Adam & Clemons v. Hjort Bressum & Borregaard Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

ME.

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Thursday 24th July 2025

Day 1 PM Singles

GB&I extended their lead to four points after winning the Day 1 afternoon Singles series 4.5-3.5.

Play started at 1.30pm CEST (12.30am BST) with Dominic CLEMONS (ENG) and Kristian HJORT BRESSUM (DEN) left out of the GB&I and Continent of Europe Singles line-ups by the two captains, Dean Robertson and Carlos de Corral.

Day 1 Singles Results (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

Tyler WEAVER (ENG), who was 4Up with eight holes to play, will be disappointed not to have brought home a full point for GB&I in his game against debutant Alfons BONDESSON (SWE). To his credit Bondesson fought back well and was able to to take advantage of some poor play on the back nine from the Englishman.

Weaver v. Bondesson Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

After a slow start Luke POULTER (ENG) produced six birdies to overcome European Amateur champion Filip JAKUBČÍK (CZH) who had an up-and-down day in Madrid. This was Poulter’s second point of the day and the Florida Gator is certainly making a positive impression.

Poulter v. Jakubčík Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

Connor GRAHAM (SCO) proved to be too good for Spain’s Sergio JIMENEZ ROMERO in Game 3. The Texas Tech rising sophomore strung five birdies together on the front nine to take control of this encounter and despite a few hiccups coming home secured a solid 3&1 win.

Graham v. Jimenez Romero Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

France’s Hugo LE GOFF, winner of the 2025 Lytham Trophy, is a quality player and far from the ideal opponent for Gavin TIERNAN (IRL) to be drawn against on his GB&I debut. Le Goff was four under par with no bogeys recorded for the 17 holes he required to complete a 2&1 win for the Continent’s first win of the afternoon.

Tiernan v. Le Goff Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

Three birdies in a row from the 12th helped Eliot BAKER (ENG) run out a 4&3 winner against Gunnlaugur Arni SVEINSSON (ISL) who was far to inconsistent in his play to gain any momentum in this particular game.

Baker v. Sveinsson Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

Claes THRANE BORREGAARD (DEN) edged a close match against Charlie FORSTER (ENG) with a clutch birdie on the par 5 18th.

Foster v. Borregaard Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

Cameron ADAM (SCO) enjoyed a fast start to his match against Richard TEDER (EST) with four birdies in their opening six holes. Playing with confidence after his great summer the Northwestern man secured a comfortable 4&3 win.

Adam v. Teder Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

Tim WIEDEMEYER (GER) posted an eagle and three birdies in an error free performance that saw him overcome re-instated amateur Stuart GREHAN (IRL) by 3&2 in the final game of the day.

Grehan v. Wiedemeyer Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

Day 1 AM Foursomes

GB&I made a good start to The 35th St. Andrews Trophy match winning the morning Foursomes series 3.5-0.5 in Madrid, Spain.

Play started at 8.30am CEST (7.30am BST) at Real Club de la Puerta de Hierro with Gavin TIERNAN (IRL) and Alfons BONDESSON (ESP) left out of the Foursomes line-ups by the two captains, Dean Robertson and Carlos de Corral.

Day 1 Foursomes Results (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

The strong pairing of Tyler WEAVER (ENG) & Connor GRAHAM (SCO) delivered a 2&1 win for GB&I against Sergio JIMENEZ ROMERO (ESP) & Filip JACUBČÍK (CZH) in Game 1. Having taken a 3Up lead after seven holes the Anglo-Scottish pair saw the match out with relative ease.

Weaver & Graham v. Jimenez Romero & Jakubčík Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

Luke POULTER (ENG) & Charlie FORSTER (ENG) delivered six birdies on route to a 2&1 victory against Gunnlaugur Arni SVEINSSON (ISL) & Hugo LE GOFF (FRA) who did little wrong in a competitive encounter.

Poulter & Forster v. Sveinsson & Le Goff Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

A poor finish from Stuart GREHAN (IRL) & Eliot BAKER (ENG), where they dropped two shots in the closing three holes and most importantly a critical one on the par 5 18th, handed a half to the Danish pair Claes THRANE BORREGAARD & Kristian HJORT BRESSUM in Game 3.

Grehan & Baker & Borregaard & BressumScoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

Cameron ADAM (SCO) & Dominic CLEMONS (ENG) made up for GB&I’s disappointment in the preceeding game by producing a superb birdie on the 18th hole to secure a 1 Hole win against Tim WIEDEMEYER (GER) and Richard TEDER (EST) who fought back well from a sloppy front nine.

Adam & Clemons v. Wiedemeyer & Teder Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

ME.

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22nd July 2025

The 35th St. Andrews Trophy match will be contested on Thursday 24th and Friday 25th July at Real Club de la Puerta de Hierro in Madrid, Spain.

This amateur men’s team match has been played biennially between Great Britain & Ireland (GB&I) and the Continent of Europe since 1956.

It was originally established by The R&A to give more European players the chance to play at the highest level and GB&I players more team match play experience for the Walker Cup which is held in alternate years with this competition.

Due to changes being made to the international golf calendar the 2025 match unusually takes place only a year after the last one and in the same year as the Walker Cup.

The St. Andrews Trophy was put forward for the match by the Royal and Ancient G.C. of St. Andrews in 1963.

2025 Teams

Each team has nine players.

The golfing calendar is extremely busy at this time of year and therefore player availability can be impacted by other opportunities. Recent history shows that this is a particular issue on the Continent of Europe’s side albeit this year they appear to have a strong side out.

Great Britain & Ireland Team

The R&A Selection Committee, including Captain Dean Robertson (Scotland), 55, announced their nine man team on 4th July.

With the Walker Cup match coming up in September Robertson, who is Head of Golf at the University of Stirling, will be looking for a victory to instil some confidence in his team as well as increasing the chances of him remaining in post beyond the match in Cypress Point.

GB&I’s 2025 team will consist of six new and three returning players.

Each player’s nationality, current WAGR, selection route and event history is shown below.

Cameron ADAM (21) – Scotland, #29, WAGR Top 5 (Debut, 2025)

Eliot BAKER (22) – England, #121, Captain’s Pick (Debut, 2025)

Dominic CLEMONS (23) – England, #44, WAGR Top 5 (2nd Appearance, 2024, ’25)

Charlie FORSTER (22) – England, #57, Captain’s Pick (2nd Appearance, 2024, ’25)

Connor GRAHAM (18) – Scotland, #40, WAGR Top 5 (2nd Appearance, 2024, ’25)

Stuart GREHAN (32) – Ireland, #627, Captain’s Pick (2nd Appearance, 2016, ’25)

Luke POULTER (21) – England, #41, Captain’s Pick* (Debut, 2025)

Gavin TIERNAN (19) – Ireland, #583, Captain’s Pick (Debut, 2025)

Tyler WEAVER (20) – England, #14, WAGR Top 5 (Debut, 2025)

* Luke Poulter was the 5th highest ranked GB&I player on WAGR on 2nd July 2025 but did not meet the minimum divisor of 18 proviso so this selection spot was transferred over to an additional Captain’s pick.

Three GB&I players in the WAGR Top 100 were not selected, namely, Jack BIGHAM (England) #54. Matthew DODD-BERRY (England) #96 and Niall SHIELS DONEGAN (Scotland) #97.

Great Britain & Ireland Team (Graphic: RFEG)

Continent of Europe

Carlos de Corral (Spain), 45, took over the captaincy of the Continent of Europe team in 2024, winning his first game in charge at Royal Porthcawl.

De Corral is a very experienced team captain leading Spanish teams on numerous occasions. He is the Sports Director at the Madrid Golf Federation and will be very well versed on the host course.

His team was announced by the European Golf Association (EGA) on 24th June (six players in First Wave) and 17th July (three players after the European Amateur Championship).

Like GB&I, Europe’s team will consist of six new and three returning players this year.

Each player’s nationality, current WAGR, selection route and event history is shown below.

Alfons BONDESSON – Sweden, #90, First Wave (Debut, 2025)

Kristian HJORT BRESSUM – Denmark, #71, Second Wave (Debut, 2025)

Filip JACUBČÍK– Czech Republic, #6, Second Wave (2nd Appearance, 2024, ’25)

Sergio JIMENEZ ROMERO – Spain, #74, First Wave (Debut, 2025)

Hugo LE GOFF – France, #55, First Wave (Debut, 2025)

Gunnlaugur Arni SVEINSSON – Iceland, #15, First Wave (Debut, 2025)

Richard TEDER – Estonia, #80, Second Wave (2nd Appearance, 2024, ’25)

Claes Thrane BORREGAARD – Denmark, #95, First Wave (Debut, 2025)

Tim WIEDEMEYER – Germany, #35, First Wave (2nd Appearance, 2024, ’25)

The leading European players, according to WAGR Top 100, who are not playing this year are Michael MJAASETH (Denmark) #23, Daniel SVARD (Sweden) #52, Peer WERNICKE (Germany) #63, Benjamin REUTER (Netherlands) #65, Wolfgang GLAWE (GER) #67 and Lev GRINBERG (Ukraine) #91.

It is perhaps a little surprising that no Italians have been selected given that their 6-man team won the European Men’s Amateur Team Championship two weeks ago in Killarney, beating Denmark in the Final.

Continent of Europe Team (Photo: RFEG)

Match Format 

The St. Andrews Trophy is played over two days and consists of a number of match play foursomes and singles games.

Thursday 25th July AM – Foursomes x 4
Thursday 25th July PM – Singles x 8
Friday 26th July AM – Foursomes x 4
Friday 26th July PM – Singles x 9

The additional Singles game on Day 2 was introduced in 2016.

With a maximum total of 25 points available and one point awarded for each match a team will be required to accumulate 13 points to secure an outright victory.

As the holders Continent of Europe can retain the Trophy by reaching 12.5 points.

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The St. Andrews Trophy (Photo: Suomen Golfliitto / Finnish Golf Union)

Venue – Real Club de la Puerta de Hierro

Founded in 1895 Real Club de la Puerta de Hierro is one of Spain’s most prestigious clubs and has hosted many national and international amateur and professional tournaments over the years.

It has hosted the Spanish Open 15 times and the Madrid Open 26 times.

The Club has also hosted the Eisenhower Trophy, the Bonallack Trophy, the European Amateur Championship and the European Mid-Amateur Championship. The latter event in 2017 was won by the Continent of Europe’s team captain Carlos de Corral.

The Club enjoys two 18 holes, The Arriba (Upper) and The Abajo (Lower), both laid out on rolling tree lined terrain. The Arriba, which is being used this week, is generally considered the weaker of the two course. It plays to around 7,042 yards and a par of 72.

This will be the first time that the St. Andrews Trophy match has been played in Spain since 1990 when GB&I won at El Saler.

Weather Forecast – as at 3.00pm on Tuesday 22nd July 2025

The weather forecast for Madrid looks excellent this week: –

Thur 24th July – Sunny. Wind 13mph NE. Temp. Max. 15°C / Min. 30°C.
Fri 25th July – Sunny. Wind 11mph NE. Temp. Max. 16°C / Min. 30°C.

2024 Match – Royal Porthcawl Golf Club, Wales

Continent of Europe won the 34th St. Andrews Trophy match against Great Britain & Ireland (GB&I) at Royal Porthcawl G.C. by 16.0-9.0.

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Continent of Europe (Photo: Cameron Smith / R&A / R&A via Getty Images)

It was Europe’s sixth win in total, only their second away victory and their biggest ever surpassing their 15.5-9.5 triumph in Finland in 2018.

Luis MASAVEU (ESP) from the Continent of Europe was the only player to complete a 100% 4-from-4 record over the two days. His compatriot Pablo EREÑO PÉREZ was also undefeated, winning all three of the games he was selected for.

GB&I’s Dominic CLEMONS (ENG) and Connor GRAHAM (SCO) won both of their Singles and finished the match with three wins in total.

Click here to view the – 2024 St. Andrews Trophy Match Results

Past Results

In the 34 encounters to date GB&I have won the St. Andrews Trophy 26 times.

Europe have seven wins to their name albeit four of them have come recently in 2010, 2012, 2018 and 2024.

The match in 2016 was tied for the first time  with GB&I, who were the trophy holders, retaining the trophy.

Click here to view a summary of the – Historic St. Andrews Trophy Results

ME.

Copyright © 2014-2025, Mark Eley. All rights reserved.

The St. Andrews Trophy – 2024 Preview & Results

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26th July 2024

Continent of Europe won the 34th St. Andrews Trophy match against Great Britain & Ireland (GB&I) at Royal Porthcawl G.C. by 16.0-9.0.

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Continent of Europe (Photo: Cameron Smith / R&A / R&A via Getty Images)

It was Europe’s sixth win in total, only their second away victory and their biggest ever surpassing their 15.5-9.5 triumph in Finland in 2018.

Spain’s Carlos de Corral, the Continent of Europe Captain, said “You only have to see the history of the match to see how special it is for us to win this great event. It’s tough to win and we are going to celebrate.”

GB&I captain Dean Robertson said “The result obviously didn’t go our way but I couldn’t have asked any more from my team in terms of preparation. On the week we were just beaten by a team that played better.”

Luis MASAVEU (ESP) from the Continent of Europe was the only player to complete a 100% 4-from-4 record over the two days. Compatriot Pablo EREÑO PÉREZ was also undefeated, winning all three of the games he was selected for.

GB&I’s Dominic CLEMONS (ENG) and Connor GRAHAM (SCO) won both of their Singles and finished the match with three wins in total.

Here is an analysis of all of the individual performances from both sides: –

Screenshot 2024-07-26 at 18.26.44

Click here to view the – R&A St. Andrews Trophy Match Results

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The Final Scoreboard (Graphic: The R&A / Golfbox)

The updated St Andrews Trophy match record now reads – 26 GB&I wins, 7 Continent of Europe wins with 1 draw.

The Continent of Europe will defend the trophy at Puerta De Hierro in Madrid, Spain next year as the biennial match moves to odd years.

Friday PM Singles (9)

Continent of Europe confirmed their victory over GB&I in style by taking the Day 2 Singles 7.0-2.0.

Filip JACUBČIK (CZH) obtained revenge for his loss against James ASHFIELD (WAL) in yesterday’s Singles. Jakubčk again birdied the opening hole but this time proceeded to put together a very tidy round of golf which proved too much for the Welshman who in his defence did little wrong.

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Jakubcik v. Ashfield Scores (Graphic: The R&A / Golfbox)

Dominic CLEMONS (ENG) beat the previously unbeaten Richard TEDER (EST) by 4&2 in Game 2 this afternoon. In a tight match the Englishman pulled away on the back nine with a string of birdies to complete an impressive debut for the GB&I team.

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Teder v. Clemons Scores (Graphic: The R&A / Golfbox)

Connor GRAHAM (SCO) destroyed another unbeaten match record when he outclassed Tim WIEDEMEYER (GER) by 4&3 in their Day 2 Singles. Three birdies on the front nine set up the win which the Blairgowrie man saw out with comfort.

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Wiedemeyer v. Graham C. Scores (Graphic: The R&A / Golfbox)

Lars Van Der VIGHT (NED) and Jack BIGHAM (ENG) were again drawn together in the Singles and as on Day 1 both played relatively poorly with way too many bogeys evident on the scorecard. The Dutchman ultimately won by 1 Hole and it seems appropriate that the 18th was halved in bogeys.

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Van Der Fight v. Bigham Scores (Graphic: The R&A / Golfbox)

In a high quality match Jerry JI (NED) edged out Charlie FORSTER (ENG) by 2&1. Forster again made some mistakes on the back nine which derailed any hopes he may have had of gaining his first point in the match.

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Ji v. Forster Scores (Graphic: The R&A / Golfbox)

Bastian AMAT (FRA) just got the better of Seb CAVE (ENG) by 2 Holes. In a tight match Cave played well but will be rueing his inability to hole some putts and a a couple of mistakes on the back nine which handed the initiative to the Frenchman.

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Amat v. Cave Scores (Graphic: The R&A / Golfbox)

Sadly for Gregor GRAHAM (SCO) Jacob Skov OLESEN (DEN) finally turned up at Royal Porthcawl. The Amateur champion, who had lost all three of the games he had participated in up until this point, made a strong start to the match and thereafter refused to give Gregor any comeback encouragement.

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Olesen v. Graham G. Scores (Graphic: The R&A / Golfbox)

The steadier play of Pablo EREÑO PÉREZ (ESP) this afternoon enabled him to overcome Max KENNEDY (IRL) by 2&1. Despite coming to life towards the end of the game the Irishman simply made too many bogeys to threaten a victory for GB&I.

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Ereño Pérez v. Kennedy (Graphic: The R&A / Golfbox)

Luis MASAVEU (ESP) is a class act and ran out a 3&2 winner against Caolan RAFFERTY (IRL) who typically fought to the very end.

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Masaveu v. Rafferty Scores (Graphic: The R&A / Golfbox)

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Friday AM Foursomes (4)

Continent of Europe and GB&I tied the Day 2 Foursomes series 2.0-2.0 in the St. Andrews Trophy Match.

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Day 2 Morning Scoreboard (Graphic: The R&A / Golfbox)

Continent of Europe captain Carlos de Corral retained his successful day 1 Foursomes pairings albeit he tweaked his running order. Filip JACUBČIK (CZH) was again left out.

Despite a 3.0-1.0 defeat in the Day 1 Foursomes GB&I captain Dean Robertson generally kept faith with his pairings. The only exception being Gregor GRAHAM (SCO) who replaced Seb CAVE (ENG) as Jack BIGHAM‘s (ENG) partner.

Tim WIEDEMEYER (GER) and Richard TEDER (EST) recorded their second Foursomes win of the contest in Game 1. They took control of the match against James ASHFIELD (WAL) and Connor GRAHAM (SCO), who were GB&I’s sole winners yesterday morning, with a run five birdies and six holes on the front nine.

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Wiedemeyer & Teder v. Ashfield & Graham C. Scores (Graphic: The R&A / Golfbox)

Dominic CLEMONS (ENG) and Caolan RAFFERTY (IRL) recorded a welcome win for GB&I in Game 2 against the Dutch pair of Lars VAN DER VIGHT and Jerry JI. The Anglo-Irish pair played consistently well through out with four birdies ensuring the door remained firmly closed to their opponents.

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Van Der Fight & Ji v. Clemons & Rafferty Scores (Graphic: The R&A / Golfbox)

Four birdies in the closing five holes from Jack BIGHAM (ENG) and Gregor GRAHAM (SCO) saw them secure a potentially critical 2 Holes win over Bastian AMAT (FRA) and Jacob Skov OLESEN (DEN). The GB&I pair needed seven birdies to win what was arguably the best game of the match so far.

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Amat & Olesen v. Bigham & Graham G. Scores (Graphic: The R&A / Golfbox)

Luis MASAVEU and Pablo EREÑO PÉREZ pulled away from Max KENNEDY (IRL) and Charlie FORSTER (ENG) down the home stretch to secure a 3&2 win. The Spanish pairing had started strongly with three early birdies but had to be patient before wearing the GB&I pair down.

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Masaveu & Ereño Pérez v. Kennedy & Forster Scores (Graphic: The R&A / Golfbox)

ME.

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25th July 2024

Continent of Europe lead GB&I 7.0-5.0 after the opening day of the St. Andrews Trophy match at Royal Porthcawl G.C.

As forecast conditions were a little challenging with drizzle and moderate winds blowing across the links.

Six players, Jerry JI (NED), Luis MASAVEU (ESP), Richard TEDER (EST) and Tim WIEDEMEYER (GER) from the Continent of Europe and JAMES ASHFIELD (WAL) and Connor GRAHAM (SCO) for GB&I, won both of their Day 1 games.

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Day 1 Afternoon Scoreboard (Graphic: The R&A / Golfbox)

Thursday PM Singles

The Day 1 Singles series was tied 4.0-4.0.

Filip JACUBČIK (CZH) got off to a dream start in his first outing of the match birdieing the par 4 1st hole in his game against home favourite James ASHFIELD (WAL). Ashfield got off to a poor start, bogeying the first three holes, but once he started to reel off the pars and sprinkle in a couple of birdies the game quickly turned in GB&I’s favour.

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Jakubcik v. Ashfield Scores (Graphic: The R&A / Golfbox)

The repeat of the recent Amateur Championship Final saw Dominic CLEMONS (ENG) gain a modicum of revenge over Denmark’s Jacob Skov OLESEN with a 3&2 win in a game where they both played well.

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Olesen v. Clemons Scores (Graphic: The R&A / Golfbox)

A six birdie blitz from Connor GRAHAM (SCO) proved too much for Bastian AMAT (FRA) who didn’t do too much wrong in his 2 Hole defeat and even enjoyed a hole-in-one on the short par 3 7th.

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Amat v. Graham C. Scores (Graphic: The R&A / Golfbox)

Gregor GRAHAM (SCO), who was rested in the Foursomes this morning, would have been hoping to send a message of defiance to his captain but could only present a disappointing 6&5 loss to Estonia’s Richard TEDER. After being given every encouragement in the opening holes by the out of sorts Scotsman Teder produced four birdies in the 13 holes he required for victory.

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Teder v. Graham G. Scores (Graphic: The R&A / Golfbox)

Birdies on the 6th and 9th holes helped Tim WIEDEMEYER (GER) pull into the lead and when Charlie FORSTER lost his way on the back nine he soon ran out a 4&3 winner.

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Wiedemeyer v. Forster Scores (Graphic: The R&A / Golfbox)

Game 6 proved to be a very poor quality affair with both players struggling around Royal Porthcawl this afternoon. Jack BIGHAM (ENG) won’t care too much though as his 3&1 victory over Lars Van Der VIGHT (NED) was very welcome to a GB&I side on the comeback trail.

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Van Der Fight  v. Bigham Scores (Graphic: The R&A / Golfbox)

Jerry JI (NED) and Caolan RAFFERTY (IRL) returned the standard of play to a more acceptable level with the Dutchman just keeping one step ahead of the experienced Irishman throughout a close contest.

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Ji v. Rafferty Scores (Graphic: The R&A / Golfbox)

Captain Robertson will be disappointed that the final Singles game got away from Max KENNEDY (IRL) who was 1Up with four holes to play. Going into tomorrow tied at 6.0-6.0 or even down 6.5-5.5 would have meant the momentum was with his side after this morning’s Foursomes loss. However, Luis MASAVEU (ESP), fresh from The Open Championship is no mug, the closing holes at Porthcawl are no push over and in Kennedy’s defence he had played very well up until the 15th.

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Masaveu v. Kennedy Scores (Graphic: The R&A / Golfbox)

Seb CAVE (ENG) and Pablo EREÑO PÉREZ (ESP) were respectively left out of the GB&I and European Singles teams when the draw was made last night.

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Thursday AM Foursomes

Continent of Europe won the Day 1 Foursomes series 3.0-1.0 to take the early lead against GB&I in the St. Andrews Trophy Match.

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Day 1 Morning Scoreboard (Graphic: The R&A / Golfbox)

Captain’s Dean Robertson and Carlos de Corral rested Gregor GRAHAM (SCO) and Filip JACUBČIK (CZH) from their opening Foursomes line-ups.

The GB&I pairings didn’t look a natural fit on paper last night and this largely proved to be the case on the course this morning.

James ASHFIELD (WAL) and Connor GRAHAM (SCO) didn’t have to work too hard to secure the first point of the match as the European pairing of Bastian AMAT (FRA) and Amateur champion Jacob Skov OLESEN (DEN) never got going.

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Amat & Olesen v. Ashfield & Graham C. Scores (Graphic: The R&A / Golfbox)

Tim WIEDEMEYER (GER) and Richard TEDER (EST) started poorly to hand the early initiative to Dominic CLEMONS (ENG) and Caolan RAFFERTY (IRL). However, the Europeans bounced back strongly with three birdies on the front nine and after the GB&I pair started to struggle from the 13th onwards the visitors ran out comfortable winners.

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Wiedemeyer & Teder v. Clemons & Rafferty Scores (Graphic: The R&A / Golfbox)

MAX KENNEDY (IRL) and Charlie FORSTER (ENG) started the third game very poorly gifting the Dutch pairing of Lars VAN DER VIGHT and Jerry JI a 4Up advantage after just six holes. It was to their credit that they fought back to 1Up after 14 holes but ultimately they had given themselves too big a hill to climb.

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Van Der Fight & Ji v. Kennedy & Forster Scores (Graphic: The R&A / Golfbox)

The Spanish pairing of Luis MASAVEU and Pablo EREÑO PÉREZ were simply too good for England’s Jack BIGHAM and Seb CAVE in the final game of the morning session, playing error free golf on the way to a confidence boosting 5&4 win.

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Masaveu & Ereño Pérez v. Bigham & Cave Scores (Graphic: The R&A / Golfbox)

ME.

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17th July 2024 (Updated 23rd July 2024)

The 34th St. Andrews Trophy match will be contested on Thursday 25th and Friday 26th July at Royal Porthcawl Golf Club in Wales.

This amateur men’s team match has been played biennially between Great Britain & Ireland (GB&I) and the Continent of Europe since 1956.

It was originally established by The R&A to give more European players the chance to play at the highest level and GB&I players more team match play experience for the Walker Cup which is held in alternate years with this competition.

The St. Andrews Trophy was put forward for the match by the Royal and Ancient G.C. of St. Andrews in 1963.

I will be updating this article with daily reports and results once play commences.

2024 Teams

Each team has nine players.

The golfing calendar is extremely busy at this time of year and therefore player availability can be impacted by other opportunities. Recent history shows that this is a particular issue on the Continent of Europe’s side.

Great Britain & Ireland Team

The R&A Selection Committee, including new Captain Dean ROBERTSON (Scotland), announced their nine man team on 8th July.

GB&I’s team will consist of nine new players this year.

Each player’s nationality, WAGR as at 17th July 2024 and Selection Route is shown below.

James ASHFIELD (23) – Wales, #27, WAGR Top 5

Jack BIGHAM (20) – England #37, WAGR Top 5

Seb CAVE (20) – England, #342, Captain’s Pick

Dominic CLEMONS (22) – England, #157, Captain’s Pick

Charlie FORSTER (21) – England, #262, Captain’s Pick

Connor GRAHAM (17) – Scotland, #149, Captain’s Pick

Gregor GRAHAM (20) – Scotland, #108, Captain’s Pick

Max KENNEDY (22) – Ireland, #30, WAGR Top 5

Caolan RAFFERTY (31) – Ireland, #53, WAGR Top 5

First Reserve
Will HOPKINS (24) – England, #63, Captain’s Pick

Automatic WAGR Top 5 selection Calum SCOTT – Scotland, #13, made himself unavailable for selection.

The other leading GB&I players, who are in the WAGR Top 100 and are not playing this year, are Liam NOLAN (Ireland) #71, Matt MCCLEAN (Ireland) #75 and Tyler WEAVER (England) #78.

Continent of Europe

2024 will see Carlos de Corral (Spain) take over the captaincy of the Continent of Europe team.

His team was announced by the European Golf Association (EGA) on 20th June (7 players) and 16th July (2 players after the European Amateur Championship).

Spain’s Luis Masaveu Roncal is the only returning player from Europe’s 2022 line-up.

Each player’s nationality and WAGR as at 17th July 2024 is shown below.

Bastian AMAT (22) – France, #24

Pablo EREÑO PÉREZ (20) – Spain, #60

Filip JACUBČIK (20) – Czech Republic, #36

Jerry JI (24)- Netherlands, #213

Luis MASAVEU RONCAL (21) – Spain, #32

Jacob Skov OLESEN (25) – Denmark, #23

Richard TEDER (19) – Estonia, #85

Lars VAN DER VIGHT (21) – Netherlands, #52

Tim WIEDEMEYER (19) – Germany, #68

In recent years the EGA has struggled to attract their very best players to the match so it is good to see them putting out such a strong team in Wales.

The leading European players, according to WAGR Top 100, who are not playing this year are Jose Luis BALLESTER BARRIO (Spain) #9, Tobias JONSSON (Sweden) #42, Daniel SVARD (Sweden) #48, Tiger CHRISTENSEN (Germany) #54, Michael MJAASETH (Denmark) #59, Gregory SOLHAUG (Norway) #61, Algot KLEEN (Sweden) #65, Albert HANSSON (Sweden) #67, Jaime MONTOJO FERNANDEZ (Spain) #96 and Bard SKOGEN (Norway) #97.

It is worth noting from a selection point of view that Sweden won the European (Men’s) Amateur Team Championship earlier in July with Hansson, Kleen and Svard in their six-man team.

Match Format 

The St. Andrews Trophy is played over two days and consists of a number of match play foursomes and singles games.

Thursday 25th July AM – Foursomes x 4
Thursday 25th July PM – Singles x 8
Friday 26th July AM – Foursomes x 4
Friday 26th July PM – Singles x 9

The additional Singles game on Day 2 was introduced in 2016.

With a maximum total of 25 points available and one point awarded for each match a team will be required to accumulate 13 points to secure an outright victory.

As the holders GB&I can retain the Trophy by reaching 12.5 points.

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The St. Andrews Trophy (Photo: Suomen Golfliitto / Finnish Golf Union)

Venue – Royal Porthcawl Golf Club

Royal Porthcawl G.C. was established in 1891 with the original nine hole course laid out by Charles Gibson, the professional at Royal North Devon G.C., in the following year.

A new 18 hole course was built in the late 1890s on the current site.

The 1951 Amateur Championship was the first major tournament that it staged. It has since staged a further six Amateurs.

Porthcawl famously staged the Walker Cup match in 1995 when the USA team included Tiger Woods.

The course, set on land sloping down the seashore, plays to 7,152 yards and a par of 72 from the Black Championship tees. It has a Course Rating of 75.7 and a Slope Rating of 143.

The 2020 St. Andrews Trophy match was originally scheduled to be played at Royal Porthcawl G.C. but had to be postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It will become the first Welsh club to host the match in 2024.

Weather Forecast – as at 8.00am Monday 23rd July 2024

The weather forecast for south Wales looks mixed for the match with some rain forecast for Thursday and sun for Friday: –

Thur 25th July – Drizzle. Wind 13mph SW. Temp. Max. 18°C / Min. 14°C.
Fri 26th July – Sunny Intervals. Wind 13mph SW. Temp. Max. 17°C / Min. 13°C.

2022 Match – Penati Golf Club, Slovakia

Great Britain & Ireland (GB&I) won the 33rd St. Andrews Trophy match in Slovakia, beating Continent of Europe by 14.5-10.5.

Arron EDWARDS-HILL (ENG), Mark POWER (IRL) and Calum SCOTT (SCO) were unbeaten for GB&I whilst Anton ALBERS (GER) was the best performer for the Continent of Europe.

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Great Britain & Ireland (Photo: The R&A)

Click here to view the full – 2022 St. Andrews Trophy Results

Past Results

In the 33 encounters to date GB&I have won the St. Andrews Trophy 26 times.

Europe have six wins to their name albeit three of them have come recently in 2010, 2012 and 2018.

The match in 2016 was tied for the first time  with GB&I, who were the trophy holders, retaining the trophy.

Europe have won only once on GB&I soil in the history of the match, at Portmarnock GC in 2012.

Click here to view a summary of the – Historic St. Andrews Trophy Results

2025 Match – Puerta De Hierro, Spain

As part of the re-arrangement of the amateur calendar the match will next be played in 2025 in Spain before returning to GB&I in 2027.

ME.

Copyright © 2014-2024, Mark Eley. All rights reserved.

The Open Championship – 2023 Regional & Final Qualifying

Posted on by

23rd July 2023

THE 151ST OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

Christo LAMPRECHT (RSA) shot a 74 (+3) in the final round of The Open Championship.

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Christo Lamprecht’s Round 4 Amateur Scores (Photo: The R&A / NTT Data)

His +11 72-hole total lifted him two places on the final leaderboard to 74th.

Whilst his aggressive strategy off the tee worked in the opening round it came off the rails as he continued with it for the remainder of the Championship. In the final analysis he only hit 15 out of 56 fairways.

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Christo Lamprecht’s Strokes Gained Statistics (Photo: The R&A / NTT Data)

Nevertheless as the only amateur to complete the 72 holes he duly collected the Silver Medal at the prize presentation.

He is the first South African to collect this prize and the first Amateur champion since South Korea’s Jin Jeong in 2010 to complete this ‘double’.

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Christo Lamprecht (Photo: The R&A)

Click here to view the – The 2023 Open Championship Results

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22nd July 2023

ROUND 3 SCORES

Christo LAMPRECHT (RSA) shot a 5-over 76 in the third round to fall to 76th place, last of the players who made the cut.

Hopefully he can finish strongly tomorrow before collecting the low amateur Silver Medal at the prize giving.

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Christo Lamprecht’s Round 3 Amateur Scores (Photo: The R&A / NTT Data)

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21st July 2023

ROUND 2 SCORES

Friday generally proved to be a very difficult day for the six amateurs competing at Hoylake.

Christo LAMPRECHT (RSA) shot a 79 (+8) in Round 2, 13 shots worse than his opening effort. His aggressive “bomb and gouge” strategy finally caught up with him today as the wind picked up and his putter went cold. Fortunately his 145 (+3) tied 62nd 36 hole total saw him make the cut on the mark. As the only amateur to do so he is now all set to become the first South African winner of the Silver Medal prize.

Jose BALLESTER‘s (ESP) 73 and 74 was the most consistent effort from the group but +5 was only good enough for tied 85th and two shots too many to progress to the weekend.

Mateo FERNANDEZ DE OLIVEIRA (ARG) produced the best amateur round of Day 2 with a 72 but ultimately missed the cut in tied 102nd.

Tiger CHRISTENSEN (GER) finished in tied 125th on +9 but battled hard today for a creditable 74.

Alex MAGUIRE (IRL) +10 finished tied 129th. After a disappointing back nine he had to settle for an 80; a shame after should a good round yesterday.

Harrison CROWE (AUS) has played a reasonable amount of links golf over the last two summers but has simply never taken to it. It was therefore no surprise to see him shoot 76 and 80 for a +14 total and a tied 148th finish.

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Round 2 Amateur Scores (Photo: The R&A / NTT Data)

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20th July 2023

ROUND 1 SCORES

Christo LAMPRECHT (RSA) shot a 66 (-5) in the opening round to be tied for the lead alongside Emiliano GRILLO (ARG) and Tommy FLEETWOOD (ENG) at Royal Liverpool G.C.

Alex MAGUIRE (IRL) 72 (+1) tied 47th and Jose BALLESTER (ESP) 73 (+2) tied 66th have also made competitive starts.

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Round 1 Amateur Scores (Photo: The R&A / NTT Data)

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19th July 2023

Six amateurs qualified for this year’s Open Championship at Royal Liverpool G.C. via exemption or through Qualifying: –

Harrison CROWE (AUS) – the 2022 Asia-Pacific Amateur Champion
Mateo FERNANDEZ DE OLIVEIRA (ARG) – the 2023 Latin America Amateur Champion
Christo LAMPRECHT (RSA) – the 2023 Amateur Champion
Jose BALLESTER (ESP) – the 2023 European Amateur Champion
Alex MAGUIRE (IRL) – won the 2023 Open Championship Amateur Series
Tiger CHRISTENSEN (GER) – Final Qualifying at West Lancashire G.C.

ME.

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25th June 2023 (Last updated 4th July 2023)

This article focuses on Regional and Final Qualifying for the 151st Open Championship and in particular the performances of the amateur golfers seeking to earn a spot in the final field.

You will find below an Introduction to this year’s Open Championship, followed by a discussion on Final Qualifying, which was played on 4th July 2023, then a report on the fifteen Regional Qualifying events, which were played on 26th June 2023.

Introduction

156 players will contest this year’s Open Championship which will be played at Royal Liverpool G.C. on 20-23 July 2023.

Five amateurs have earned exemptions into The Open through their prior performances: –
The 2022 Asia-Pacific Amateur Champion – Harrison CROWE (AUS)
The 2023 Latin America Amateur Champion – Mateo FERNANDEZ DE OLIVEIRA (ARG)
The 2023 Amateur Champion – Christo LAMPRECHT (RSA)
The 2023 European Amateur Champion – Jose BALLESTER (ESP)

Alex MAGUIRE (IRL) won the 2023 Open Championship Amateur Series. This new exemption was given by The R&A to the player who gained the most WAGR points in the St. Andrews Links Trophy, the Amateur Championship and the European Amateur Championship events (as long as they didn’t win the Amateur or European Amateur Championships which meant they were already exempt).

The 2022 U.S. Amateur Champion Sam BENNETT (USA) turned Pro at the end of the recent U.S. college season foregoing his Open exemption.

The 2022 Mark H. McCormack Medal (WAGR) winner Keita NAKAJIMA (JAP) 2022 turned Pro in September 2022, thus losing his place in the field too. However, he subsequently qualified as a pro through his 2nd place finish at The Open Championship Series Japan event on 25th-28th May to get back in.

The majority of the field will be made up of exempt players; former major champions, winners of prestigious professional events, leading players in the OWGR and the handful of amateurs listed above.

The remaining players in the field have had to or will have to qualify either via The Open Qualifying Series or Regional and Final Qualifying.

34 places have been allocated to The Open Qualifying Series. The leading 3-4 players, not already exempt, in the top 8-12 at 15 professional tour events in 10 countries played in 2023 secure these spots.

A further 19 spaces have also been given over to Regional and Final Qualifying. Regional Qualifying was played on Monday 26th June 2023 and Final Qualifying on Tuesday 4th July 2023. Players competing in Regional Qualifying were playing for the opportunity to play in Final Qualifying while the latter presents the actual gateway to The Open.

Low Amateur Silver Medal

The Silver Medal is awarded to the leading amateur in The Open Championship who completes 72 holes. Bronze Medals are awarded to all other amateurs who complete 72 holes.

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

Click here to view the official – Open Championship Website

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FINAL QUALIFYING

Final Qualifying took place over 36 holes at four venues across Great Britain on 4th July 2023.

There were 288 players competing including 79 amateurs.

A number of amateur and professional players were exempt directly into Final Qualifying based on their past playing achievements. The rest of the field was made up of players who had come through Regional Qualifying.

19 places in The Open have been guaranteed by The R&A. Any ties for the last qualifying place in each event will be decided by a sudden-death play-off. Some Reserve spots will also be decided at these events.

Here are some details on the four venues with lists of all the remaining amateur competitors and their routes to this stage: –

DUNDONALD LINKS, SCOTLAND
– click here to view The Open Website Results or Golfbox Results
7,269 yards, par 72, course rating 76.3, slope rating 138
72 players / 18 amateurs / 4 qualifying places

Amateur Qualifiers
None

Professional Qualifiers
1 Michael STEWART (SCO) – 71,66 (-7) QUALIFIED
2 Marco PENGE (ENG) – 74, 65 (-5) QUALIFIED
T3 Connor MCKINNEY (AUS) – 70, 71 (-3) QUALIFIED after a 3-FOR-2 play-off
T3 Graeme ROBERTSON (SCO) – 70, 71 (-3) QUALIFIED after a 3-FOR-2 play-off

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Dundonald Final Qualifying Leaderboard (Graphic: The Open / The R&A)

Amateur Non-Qualifiers
T6 Calum SCOTT (Nairn, SCO) ST ANDREWS TROPHY ’22 – 70, 72 (-2)
T12 Alejandro AGUILERA (Villa de Madrid, ESP) WAGR – 73, 70 (-1)
T17 Cameron ADAM (Royal Burgess, SCO) GOSWICK RQ – 72, 72 (Ev)
T17 TK CHANTANANUWAT (THI) AMATEUR CHAMP ’23 SF – 73, 71 (Ev)
T25 Morgan BLYTHE (Hexham, ENG) GOSWICK RQ – 74, 72 (+2)
T32 Robert MORAN (Dundonald Links, SCO) ST ANDREWS TROPHY ’22 – 72, 76 (+4)
T35 Ryan RILEY (Rockliffe Hall, ENG) GOSWICK RQ – 78, 72 (+6)
T40 Michael HENSON (Rockliffe Hall, ENG) GOSWICK RQ – 79, 72 (+7)
T42 Luke QUINT (Ulverston, ENG) HESKETH RQ – 75, 77 (+8)
T42 Jack MCDONALD (Schloss Roxburghe, SCO) GOSWICK RQ – 77, 75 (+8)
T51 Mark POWER (Kilkenny, IRL) ST ANDREWS TROPHY ’22 – 80, 74 (+10)
T55 Seb CAVE (Coxmoor, ENG) KEDLESTON PARK RQ – 79, 77 (+12)
T59 Kevin LE BLANC (The Island, IRL) COUNTY LOUTH RQ – 79, 80 (+15)
61 Fraser MACLEOD (Stockport, ENG) CALDY RQ – 82, 78 (+16)
T62 Joshua MCASPURN (Crossland Heath, ENG) ALWOODLEY RQ Res 22 – 84, 78 (+18)
T62 Tomasz BONIEK (South Herts, ITA) MOOR PARK RQ Res 40 – 85, 77 (+18)
T64 Joshua GREER (Joondalup, AUS) WAGR – RTD
T64 Mark KIMPTON (Vicar’s Cross, ENG) CALDY RQ – RTD

ROYAL CINQUE PORTS, ENGLAND
– click here to view The Open Website Results or Golfbox Results
7,334 yards, par 72, course rating 76.9, slope rating 148
72 players / 17 amateurs / 5 qualifying places

Amateur Qualifiers
None

Professional Qualifiers
T1 Martin ROHWER (RSA) – 72, 69 (-3) QUALIFIED
T1 Thomas DETRY (BEL) – 72, 69 (-3) QUALIFIED
T3 Charl SCHWARTZEL (RSA) – 72, 70 (-2) QUALIFIED
T3 Brandon GRACE (RSA) – 70, 72 (-2) QUALIFIED
T3 Antoine ROZNER (FRA) – 71, 71 (-2) QUALIFIED

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Royal Cinque Ports Final Qualifying Leaderboard (Graphic: The Open / The R&A)

Amateur Non-Qualifiers
T7 Joe SULLIVAN (Royal Ashdown Forest, ENG) ENGLISH CLOSE AM ’22 – 70, 76 (+2)
T7 Daniel HAYES (Bramhall, ENG) KEDLESTON PARK RQ Res 11 – 72, 74 (+2)
T11 Mason ESSAM (Dartford, ENG) ROCHESTER & COBHAM PARK RQ – 71, 76 (+3)
T15 Jack BIGHAM (Harpenden, ENG) WAGR – 73, 75 (+4)
T15 Jonathan SANDERS (Callaway, USA) NORTH HANTS RQ Res 25 – 72, 76 (+4)
T15 Luis MASAVEU (La Moraleja, ESP) ST ANDREWS TROPHY ’22 – 73, 75 (+4)
T22 Daniel RODRIGUES (POR) ST ANDREWS TROPHY ’22 / EUROPEAN AM ’23 – 77, 72 (+5)
T31 Oliver MUKHERJEE (Loretto School, SCO) SCOTTISH CLOSE AM ’22 – 71, 80 (+7)
T31 Jon HOPKINS (Bishops Stortford, ENG) MOOR PARK RQ – 73, 78 (+7)
T40 Oscar HEIN (Parkstone, GER) FERNDOWN RQ Res 7 – 75, 78 (+9)
T47 Aaron VAN HAUWE (Golf de Saint Nom la Bretèche, FRA) FERNDOWN RQ – 77, 78 (+11)
T50 Albert HANSSON (Skaftö, SWE) BRITISH BOYS’ ’22 – 71, 85 (+12)
T52 Dylan HUSSEY (Romford, ENG) MOOR PARK RQ – 79, 78 (+13)
T55 Alvaro ROLDOS (Sun Muntaner, ESP) BURHILL RQ – 78, 80 (+14)
T60 Aidan ABBOTT (The Millbrook, ENG) NORTHANTS COUNTY RQ – 81, 81 (+18)
T63 John GOUGH (The Berkshire, ENG) ST ANDREWS TROPHY ’22 – WD
T63 Max SHIRVELL (Centurian, ENG) MOOR PARK RQ – WD

WD BEFORE START – Ben LOVEARD (Woburn, ENG) KEDLESTON PARK RQ
WD BEFORE START – Jake PLUMB (The Gog Magog, ENG) KEDLESTON PARK RQ

ROYAL PORTHCAWL, WALES
– click here to view The Open Website Results or Golfbox Results
7,061 yards, par 71, course rating 76.0, slope rating 141
72 players /  17 amateurs / 5 qualifying places

This venue was substituted into the Final Qualifying roster by The R&A in May 2023 when it was decided that Burnham & Berrow G.C. was not in acceptable condition to stage the event this year; it’s fairways having not fully recovered from last summer’s drought.

Amateur Qualifiers
None

Professional Qualifiers
1 Laurie CANTER (ENG) – 69, 65 (-8) QUALIFIED
2 Brandon ROBINSON-THOMPSON (ENG) – 66, 72 (-4) QUALIFIED
3 Matthew SOUTHGATE (ENG) – 72, 68 (-2) QUALIFIED
T4 Jazz JANEWATTANA (THA) – 71, 70 (-1) QUALIFIED
T4 Oliver FARR (WAL) – 71, 70 (-1) QUALIFIED

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Royal Porthcawl Final Qualifying Leaderboard (Graphic: The Open / The R&A)

Amateur Non-Qualifiers
T6 Hugh FOLEY (Royal Dublin, IRL) WAGR – 72, 70 (Ev)
T12 Richard TEDER (EST) AMATEUR CHAMP ’23 QF – 72, 71 (+1)
T17 Freddie EDMUNDS (East Berkshire, ENG) NORTH HANTS RQ Res 6 – 70, 74 (+2)
T26 Calum FITZGERALD (Bowood Hotel, ENG) MINCHINHAMPTON RQ – 72, 74 (+4)
T36 Darren LLOYD (Toft, ENG) KEDLESTON PARK RQ Res 50 – 77, 71 (+6)
42 Mike DOWNEY (Cotswold Hills, ENG) MINCHINHAMPTON RQ – 75, 75 (+8)
T43 Quentin CAREW (Castleknock, IRL) IRISH CLOSE AM ’22 – 76, 75 (+9)
T43 Alex FORD (Robin HOOD, ENG) KEDLESTON PARK RQ – 75, 76 (+9)
T43 Arron EDWARDS-HILL (Chelmsford, ENG) ST ANDREWS TROPHY ’22 – 76, 75 (+9)
T51 Nick PANTING (Rochester & Cobham Park, ENG) ROCHESTER & COBHAM RQ Res 4 – 76, 80 (+14)
T51 Greg PETERS (Ingestre Park, ENG) LINDRICK RQ Res 32 – 79, 77 (+14)
T51 Jack PETERS (Northants County, ENG) NORTHANTS COUNTY RQ – 77, 79 (+14)
T51 James WHYTE (Nevill, ENG) ROCHESTER & COBHAM PARK RQ – 81, 75 (+14)
T59 Rory MCDONALD-O’BRIEN (Royal Liverpool, ENG) KEDLESTON PARK RQ – 81, 76 (+15)
T61 Matt ROBERTS (Royal Porthcawl, WAL) WAGR – 81, 77 (+16)
T61 Luke STOCK (Walton Heath, ENG) NORTH HANTS RQ – 80, 78 (+16)
65 Abe BIGNELL (Kings Hill, ENG) ROCHESTER & COBHAM PARK RQ Res 34 – 79, 80 (+17)

WEST LANCASHIRE, ENGLAND
– click here to view The Open Website Results or Golfbox Results
6,973 yards, par 72, course rating 75.4, slope rating 140
72 players / 27 amateurs / 5 qualifying places

Amateur Qualifiers
T4 Tiger CHRISTENSEN (Hamburger GC, GER) WAGR – 68, 67 (-9) QUALIFIED

Professional Qualifiers
1st Matt WALLACE (ENG) – 68, 65 (-11) QUALIFIED
T2 Matthew JORDAN (ENG) – 65, 69 (-10) QUALIFIED
T2 Kyle BARKER (RSA) – 66, 68 (-10) QUALIFIED
T4 Alex FITZPATRICK (ENG) – 70, 65 (-9) QUALIFIED

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West Lancashire Final Qualifying Leaderboard (Graphic: The Open / The R&A)

Amateur Non-Qualifiers
T14 Matt MCCLEAN (Malone, IRL) ST ANDREWS TROPHY ’22 – 72, 69 (-3)
T19 Max SCHLIESING (Links Leuk, SUI) AMATEUR CHAMP ’23 QF – 73, 69 (-2)
T19 Tim HARRY (Pyle & Kenfig, WAL) MINCHINHAMPTON RQ Res 17 – 72, 70 (-2)
T19 Angel AYORA FANEGAS (La Cañada, ESP) WAGR – 71, 71 (-2)
T24 Matthew DODD-BERRY (Royal Liverpool, ENG) WAGR – 70, 73 (-1)
T27 Jack BROOKS (The Mere, ENG) CALDY RQ – 72, 72 (EV)
T29 James ASHFIELD (Delamere Forest, WAL) WELSH CLOSE AM ’22 – 73, 72 (+1)
T29 Quinnton CROKER (Royal Queensland, AUS) WAGR – 72, 73 (+1)
T29 Archie DAVIES (Carlisle, WAL) ST ANDREWS TROPHY ’22 – 73, 72 (+1)
T29 George HOLLAND (Southport & Ainsdale, ENG) CALDY RQ – 72, 73 (+1)
T29 Danny BELCH (Bolton, ENG) CALDY RQ – 72, 73 (+1)
T38 Phoenix CAMPBELL (Yarra Yarra, AUS) HESKETH RQ – 74, 72 (+2)
T40 Callum BRUCE (Eltham, ENG) LINDRICK RQ Res 29 – 75, 72 (+3)
T40 Joseph PAGDIN (Lake Nona, ENG) CALDY RQ – 76, 71 (+3)
T46 Jack MCPHAIL (Southport & Ainsdale, ENG) HESKETH RQ – 73, 75 (+4)
T54 Oliver LEWIS (Kibworth, ENG) KEDLESTON PARK RQ Res 41 – 73, 76 (+5)
T54 Matthew LEVER (Bolton, ENG) HESKETH RQ Res 23 – 77, 72 (+5)
T60 Barclay BROWN (Hallamshire, ENG) THE OPEN ’22 /  ST ANDREWS TROPHY ’22 – 78, 73 (+7)
T60 Gerard DUNNE (County Louth, IRL) COUNTY LOUTH RQ – 74, 77 (+7)
T60 Sam STOKES (Wetherby, ENG) LINDRICK RQ – 76, 75 (+7)
63 George CASTLE (Moor Park, ENG) MOOR PARK RQ – 79, 73 (+8)
65 Richard WARBURTON (Camberley Heath, ENG) NORTH HANTS RQ Res 36
66 Cameron BRIDGER (Maxstoke Park, ENG) KEDLESTON PARK RQ Res 20 – 86, 71 (+13)
67 Daley LOUMANIS (St. Michael’s, AUS) FERNDOWN RQ – 83, 75 (+15)
69 Kris DIAMOND (Seaton Carew, ENG) GOSWICK RQ Res 46 – 80, 80 (+16)
70 David JACKSON (Hadley Wood, ENG) MOOR PARK RQ Res 21 – 76, 85 (+17)

Click here to view the official – Open Championship Website (Final Qualifying)

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REGIONAL QUALIFYING

Regional Qualifying took place over 18 holes at 15 venues across Great Britain and Ireland on 26th June 2023.

Any professional or amateur with a handicap index no higher than 0.4 (scratch) or a WAGR listing of 1st-2,000th during 2022-23 could enter Regional Qualifying subject to paying the entry fee.

Over 1,900 players teed it up in Regional Qualifying with 839 of these being amateurs.

117 qualifying places were allocated to the 15 venues by The R&A with 36 of them being picked up by amateurs.

In due course a number of Reserves from Regional Qualifying will also be promoted to the four Final Qualifying event fields. 32 amateurs earned Reserve spots and will now have their fingers crossed that other players drop out of Final Qualifying in the coming days.

Here is a summary of the 15 Regional Qualifying events focussing on the leading amateur performances:-

ALWOODLEY, ENGLAND
– click here to view The Open Website Results or Golfbox Results
6,790 yards, par 71, course rating 73.5, slope rating 137
130 players / 52 amateurs / 8 qualifying places

Leading Amateurs
T6 Joshua MCASPURN (Crosland Heath, ENG) 72 +1  Res 22

BURHILL (NEW), ENGLAND
– click here to view The Open Website Results or Golfbox Results
6,905 yards, par 72, course rating 73.9, slope rating 142
127 players / 47 amateurs / 8 qualifying places

Leading Amateurs
T5 Alvaro ROLDOS (Son Muntaner, ESP) 71 -1  QUALIFIED
T12 Justin CHAN (Wentworth, ENG) 73 +1  Res 49
T12 Peter HOWELL (Lake Nona, ENG) 73 +1  Res 79

CALDY, ENGLAND
– click here to view The Open Website Results or Golfbox Results
6,765 yards, par 72, course rating 73.3, slope rating 134
131 players / 74 amateurs / 8 qualifying places

Leading Amateurs
T2 Jack BROOKS (The Mere, ENG) 71 -1  QUALIFIED
T2 Mark KIMPTON (Vicars Cross, ENG) 71 -1  QUALIFIED
T4 Joe PAGDIN (Lake Nona, ENG) 72 Ev  QUALIFIED
T4 Danny BELCH (Bolton, ENG) 72 Ev  QUALIFIED
T4 Fraser MACLEOD (Stockport, ENG) 72 Ev  QUALIFIED
T8 George HOLLAND (Southport & Ainsdale, ENG) 73 +1  QUALIFIED after a 1-from-5 play-off
T8 Declan BUKSH (Marsden, ENG) 73 +1  Res 56 after a 1-from-5 play-off
T13 Alejandro RODRIGUEZ ANDREU (Alicante, Esp) 74 +2  Res 86

COUNTY LOUTH, IRELAND
– click here to view The Open Website Results or Golfbox Results
7,031 yards, par 72, course rating 74.4 , slope rating 131
122 players / 59 amateurs / 7 qualifying places

Leading Amateurs
1ST Kevin LE BLANC (The Island, IRL) 67 -5  QUALIFIED
T4 Gerard DUNNE (County Louth, IRL) 70 -2  QUALIFIED
T6 James FOX (Portmarnock, IRL) 71 -1  Res 58 after a 2-from-6 play-off

FERNDOWN, ENGLAND
– click here to view The Open Website Results or Golfbox Results
6,572 yards, par 71, course rating 72.2, slope rating 130
131 players / 58 amateurs / 8 qualifying places

Leading Amateurs
T5 Daley LOUMANIS (St. Michael’s, AUS) 69 -2  QUALIFIED
T5 Aaron VAN HAUWE (Golf de Saint Nom la Bretèche, FRA) 69 -2  QUALIFIED
T9 Oscar HEIN (Parkstone, GER) 70 -1  Res 7

GOSWICK, ENGLAND
– click here to view The Open Website Results or Golfbox Results
6,790 yards, par 72, course rating 73.7, slope rating 132
126 players / 65 amateurs / 8 qualifying places

Leading Amateurs
1ST Michael HENSON (Rockliffe Hall, ENG) 68 -4  QUALIFIED
T2 Cameron ADAM (Royal Burgess, SCO) 69 -3  QUALIFIED
T4 Jack MCDONALD (Schloss Roxburghe, SCO) 70 -2  QUALIFIED
T7 Ryan RILEY (Romford, ENG) 71 -1  QUALIFIED after a 2-from-5 play-off
T7 Morgan BLYTHE (Hexham, ENG) 71 -1  QUALIFIED after a 2-from-5 play-off
T12 Kris DIAMOND (Seaton Carew, ENG) 72 Ev  Res 46

HESKETH, ENGLAND
– click here to view The Open Website Results or Golfbox Results
6,700 yards, par 71, course rating 73.4 , slope rating 134
128 players / 61 amateurs / 8 qualifying places

Leading Amateurs
1ST Jack MCPHAIL (Southport & Ainsdale, ENG) 68 -3  QUALIFIED
T2 Phoenix CAMPBELL (Yarra Yarra, AUS) 71 Ev  QUALIFIED
T6 Luke QUINT (Ulverston, ENG) 72 +1  QUALIFIED
T9 Matthew LEVER (Bolton, ENG) 73 +2  Res 23

KEDLESTON PARK, ENGLAND
– click here to view The Open Website Results or Golfbox Results
7,014 yards, par 70, course rating 74.4, slope rating 129
129 players / 57 amateurs / 8 qualifying places

T2 Alex FORD (Robin Hood, ENG) 70 Ev  QUALIFIED
T2 Ben LOVEARD (Woburn, ENG) 70 Ev  QUALIFIED
T4 Jake PLUMB (The Gog Magog, ENG) 71 +1  QUALIFIED after a 5-from-7 play-off
T4 Seb CAVE (Coxmoor, ENG) 71 +1  QUALIFIED after a 5-from-7 play-off
T4 Rory MCDONALD-O’BRIEN (Royal Liverpool, ENG) 71 +1  QUALIFIED after a 5-from-7 play-off
T4 Daniel HAYES (Bramhall, ENG) 71 +1  Res 11 after a 5-from-7 play-off
T4 Cameron BRIDGER (Maxstoke Park, ENG) 71 +1  Res 20 after a 5-from-7 play-off
T11 Oliver LEWIS (Kibworth, ENG) 72 +2  Res 41
T11 Darren LLOYD (Toft, ENG) 72 +2  Res 50
T11 Rhys WALLACE (Handsworth, ENG) 72 +2  Res 80

KILMARNOCK (BARASSIE), SCOTLAND
– click here to view The Open Website Results or Golfbox Results
7,009 yards, par 72, course rating 75, slope rating 140
124 players / 47 amateurs / 7 qualifying places

Leading Amateurs
T6 Andrew FERNIE (Bruntsfield Links, SCO) 71 -1 Res 60

LINDRICK, ENGLAND
– click here to view The Open Website Results or Golfbox Results
6,724 yards, par 70, course rating 73.6, slope rating 128
122 players / 57 amateurs / 7 qualifying places

Leading Amateurs
T4 Sam STOKES (Wetherby, ENG) 70 Ev  QUALIFIED
T9 Callum BRUCE (Elsham, ENG) 72 +2  Res 29
T9 Greg PETERS (Ingestre Park, ENG) 72 +2  Res 32
T9 George ASH (Hallowes, ENG) 72 +2  Res 59
T13 Callum MACFIE (Lindrick, ENG) 73 +3  Res 89

MINCHINHAMPTON (COMPOSITE), ENGLAND
– click here to view The Open Website Results or Golfbox Results
6,763 yards, par 72, course rating 73.6 , slope rating 130
127 players / 48 amateurs / 8 qualifying places

Leading Amateurs
T3 Calum FITZGERALD (Bowood Hotel, ENG) 68 -4  QUALIFIED
T5 Mike DOWNEY (Cotswold Hills, ENG) 69 -3  QUALIFIED after a 4-from-8 play-off
T5 Tim HARRY (Pyle & Kenfig, WAL) 69 -3  Res 17 after a 4-from-8 play-off
T9 Josh LOUGHREY (Wrag Barn, ENG) 70 -2  Res 74

MOOR PARK (HIGH), ENGLAND
– click here to view The Open Website Results or Golfbox Results
6,857 yards, par 72, course rating 73.8, slope rating 141
131 players / 55 amateurs / 8 qualifying place

Leading Amateurs
1ST George CASTLE (Moor Park, ENG) 68 -4  QUALIFIED
T2 Jon HOPKINS (Bishops Stortford, ENG) 69 -3  QUALIFIED
T2 Max SHIRVELL (Centurian, ENG) 69 -3  QUALIFIED
T2 Dylan HUSSEY (Romford, ENG) 69 -3  QUALIFIED
T2 Josh DUANGMANEE (International C.C., USA) 69 -3  Res 10 after a 7-from-8 play-off
10 David JACKSON (Hadley Wood, ENG) 70 -2  Res 21
T11 Tomasz BONIEK (South Herts, ITA) 73 +1  Res 40
T11 Jack NEILL (Ealing, ENG) 71 -1  Res 51

NORTH HANTS, ENGLAND
– click here to view The Open Website Results or Golfbox Results
6,638 yards, par 70, course rating 71.7, slope rating 122
131 players / 47 amateurs / 8 qualifying places

Leading Amateurs
T3 Luke STOCK (Walton Heath, ENG) 69 -1  QUALIFIED
T8 Freddie EDMUNDS (Romford, ENG) 71 +1  Res 6 after a 1-from-2 play-off
T10 Jonathan SANDERS (Callaway, USA) 72 +2  Res 25
T10 Richard WARBURTON (Camberley Heath, ENG) 72 +2  Res 36
T10 Jacob AUSTIN (Sunningdale, ENG) 72 +2  Res 55
T10 Robert WHEELER (North Hants, ENG) 72 +2  Res 66

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE COUNTY, ENGLAND
– click here to view The Open Website Results or Golfbox Results
6,710 yards, par 70, course rating 72.5, slope rating 126
129 players / 50 amateurs / 8 qualifying places

Leading Amateurs
T3 Jack PETERS (Northants County, ENG) 68 -2  QUALIFIED
T5 Aidan ABBOTT (The Millbrook, ENG) 69 -1  QUALIFIED

ROCHESTER & COBHAM PARK, ENGLAND
– click here to view The Open Website Results or Golfbox Results
6,664 yards, par 71, course rating 73.1, slope rating 136
131 players / 62 amateurs / 8 qualifying places

Leading Amateurs
T2 Mason ESSAM (Dartford, ENG) 68 -3  QUALIFIED
T8 James WHYTE (Nevill, ENG) 71 Ev  QUALIFIED after a 1-from-2 play-off
T8 Nick PANTING (Rochester & Cobham Park, ENG) 71 Ev  Res 4 after a 1-from-2 play-off
T10 Abe BIGNELL (Kings Hill, ENG) 72 +1  Res 34

Click here to view the official – Open Championship Website (Regional Qualifying)

ME.

Copyright © 2014-2023, Mark Eley. All rights reserved.

The Amateur Championship – 2016 Preview & Results

Posted on by

18th June 2016

UPDATE

Scott Gregory (ENG) today beat Robert MacIntyre (SCO) 2&1 in the 36-hole final of The Amateur Championship on a dry day at Royal Porthcawl GC.

Scott Gregory Amateur Champion 2016

Scott Gregory (Photo: R&A / Getty Images)

Gregory shot 72 at Royal Porthcawl and 71 at Pyle & Kenfig in the Stroke Play Qualifying. This saw him finish tied 13th with a +1 total.

Seeded 13th he then proceeded to beat Andre Nel (RSA) by 2 holes, Pierre Mazier (FRA) by 1 hole, Harry Hall (ENG) 4&3, Javier Sainz (ESP) 5&4 and Adrian Meronk (POL) to reach the Final.

Click this link to review all of the Match Play results – Amateur Championship MP Results

14th June 2016

UPDATE

The Stroke Play Qualfying stage of The Amateur Championship was completed this evening.

Click this link to view the Stroke Play Results and Seedings – Amateur Championship SP Results

The top 64 and ties cut fell at +5 with 79 players progressing to the Match Play stage which is being played exclusively at Royal Porthcawl GC.

11th June 2016

The 121st Amateur Championship starts on Monday at Royal Porthcawl and Pyle & Kenfig Golf Clubs in South Wales.

It 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.

Royal Porthcawl Amateur 2016

Royal Porthcawl GC (Photo: @Royal_Porthcawl Twitter)

Format
Entry is limited to 288 players with the event administered by the Championship Committee of The R&A.

Two qualifying rounds of stroke play, one round on each course, will be played on Monday 13th and Tuesday 14th June. Tee times will start at 7.00 am and end at 3.52 pm on both days.

To view the stroke play draw click here – Amateur Championship SP Draw

The 64 players with the lowest stroke play scores, and ties for 64th place, will be seeded in line with their finishes and will advance to the match play stage. All other players will be eliminated at this point. This second stage will be played solely at Royal Porthcawl between Wednesday 15th and Saturday 18th June. Matches will be played over 18 holes except for the Final which will be over 36 holes.

Players
Players from 32 countries will contest the 2016 Amateur.

The leading players that are competing, based on their Scratch Players World Amateur Rankings (Nationality / SPWAR*), are: –
Matthias Schwab (AUS / 7)
Jack Hume (IRE / 9)
Grant Forrest (SCO / 13)
Harrison Endycott (AUS / 23)
Conor Syme (SCO / 24)
Antoine Rozner (FRA / 27)
Jamie Bower (ENG / 30)
Travis Smyth (AUS / 33)
Robin Sciot-Siegrist (FRA / 36)
Cameron John (AUS / 40)
Albert Venter (RSA / 43)
Craig Ross (SCO / 44)
Craig Howie (SCO / 45)
Herman Loubser (RSA / 46)
Aubrey Beckley (RSA / 49)

* All SPWARs quoted were correct as at 11th June 2016

Whilst there are some American’s playing, including 2015 Walker cup mid-amateur Mike McCoy, it remains the case that the vast majority sadly continue to skip the Championship. Without their participation it will always lack a little something despite the ‘prizes’ on offer. This year, with the Palmer Cup taking place at Formby GC in a few weeks time, I had hoped that one or two might make the extra effort to come over early.

Unfortunately Wales’ No. 1 amateur David Boote (SPWAR 29) has his Stanford graduation ceremony on Monday so is unable to play. Fellow Palmer Cup player Sam Horsfield (ENG / SPWAR 6) was always unlikely to enter but at least he now has the excuse of qualifying for the US Open at Oakmont which also takes place next week.

This latter point begs the question, even allowing for the exceptional challenges of this Olympics year, why do the R&A schedule the Amateur Championship against a professional men’s Major ? It’s hardly likely to help with media coverage and interest as the event reaches it’s climax next week is it ? 

Courses
The Championship is being staged at Royal Porthcawl and Pyle & Kenfig, two of the best courses in Wales.

This will be the seventh time Royal Porthcawl has been the lead course at The Amateur Championship. It has also hosted the Curtis Cup (1964) and Walker Cup (1995 – GB&I beating a US Team including Tiger Woods 14-10).

Porthcawl plays to 7,065 yards and a par of 72 from it’s black championship tees. Pitched down to the shore it famously allows golfers to see the sea from every hole on the course but also feel the wind on most of their shots too.

James Mason’s Plant Golf Review of Royal Porthcawl GC

Neighbouring Pyle & Kenfig has co-hosted The Amateur with Royal Porthcawl on two previous occasions, 1988 and 2002.

P&K has a total yardage of 6,860 from it’s blue championship tees. It is a par 71 course of two different halves; an inland parkland start gives way to a final 9 played across a road amongst sand dunes nearer to the coast.

James Mason’s Plant Golf Review of Pyle & Kenfig GC

The Amateur Championship has been played at Royal Porthcawl on six previous occasions. The winners then were: –

1951 – Dick Chapman (USA)
In the first Amateur to be held in Wales and with comedian Bob Hope in the field Chapman beat fellow American Charles Coe 5&4. Chapman had lost in two Finals in the previous four years so was certainly deserving of his eventual win.

1965 – Sir Michael Bonallack (ENG)
Sir Michael made a terrible start to the Final against Clive Clark, finding himself 7 down after 8 holes. At lunch he won the jackpot on the club’s fruit machine before completing his comeback to win 2 and 1.

1973 – Dick Siderowf (USA)
Siderowf, a 34 year New York stockbroker, beat England’s Peter Moody (24) 5&3. He went on to win The Amateur again in 1976, this time at St. Andrews.

1980 – Duncan Evans (WAL)
Playing in heavy rain on a flooded course Evans (21), who had beaten a 16 year-old Ronan Rafferty in the semis, became the first Welshman to win the Amateur in front of a home crowd. His 73 in round 1 of the final was particularly memorable given the conditions. He beat South Africa’s David Suddards 4&3 on a day that gradually improved weather wise.

1988 – Christian Hardin (SWE)
Hardin beat South Africa’s Ben Fouchee 1Up in the Final.

2002 – Alejandro Larrazábal (ESP)
Caddied by his brother Pablo, now a successful European Tour golfer, Alejandro beat Wales’ Martin Sell 1Up.

Weather Forecast
As at Saturday 11th June, 17.00pm the weather forecast looks reasonably positive: –

Mon 13th June – Light Rain PM. Wind 7 mph S. Temp. Max. 16°C / Min 13°C.
Tue 14th June – Light Cloud. Wind 13 mph W. Temp. Max. 15°C / Min 12°C.
Wed 15th June – Light Showers. Wind 9 mph W. Temp. Max. 16°C / Min 12°C.
Thu 16th June – Sunny. Wind 10 mph NW. Temp. Max. 16°C / Min 12°C.
Fri 17th June – Sunny. Wind 9 mph NW. Temp. Max. 16°C / Min 12°C.
Sat 18th June – Sunny. Wind 8 mph W. Temp. Max. 16°C / Min 13°C.

Just like at The Open players will tee off between 7.00am and 3.52pm on Monday and Tuesday so the weather may very well play a part in the stroke play qualifying scoring.

Betting Odds
SkyBET released their Amateur Championship ‘Outright Winner’ Odds on Monday 6th June.

As they are removed from their website when play starts I have taken photos of the original odds so we can look back at them once the results are known.

Amateur 2016 skyBET 1Amateur 2016 skyBET 2Amateur 2016 skyBET 3Amateur 2016 skyBET 4

Ireland’s Jack Hume was the 28-1 initial favourite with SkyBET when they released their original odds.

The current SkyBET odds can be accessed here – Amateur Championship Outright Winner.

Prizes
The winner of The Amateur Championship will be exempt into next month’s 145th Open Championship at Royal Troon.

They will also be exempt into the 2017 US Open Championship, which is for the first time being played at the stunning Erin Hills in Wisconsin.

Traditionally, the Amateur Champion is also invited to compete in the following year’s Masters Tournament at Augusta National.

A Short History of The Amateur 
The Amateur Championship was first played in April 1885 at Royal Liverpool GC. 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 a 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 better than most of the professionals of the time.

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 Stranhan (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. With the sports media facing their own challenges most of their resources sadly have to be directed towards the superstar players and the Major Championships leaving the amateur game scrambling for any coverage it can get.

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.

France’s Romain Langasque beat Scotland’s Grant Forrest 4&2 in last year’s final staged at Carnoustie and Panmure in Angus, Scotland.

The last 10 winners of The Amateur Championship have been: –

2015 Romain Langasque (FRA) – Carnoustie GL
2014 Bradley Neil (SCO) – Royal Portrush GC
2013 Garrick Porteous (ENG) – Royal Cinque Ports GC
2012 Alan Dunbar (IRE) – Royal Troon GC
2011 Bryden Macpherson (AUS) – Hillside GC
2010 Jin Jeong (KOR) – Muirfield
2009 Matteo Manassero (ITA) – Formby GC
2008 Reinier Sexton (NED) – Trump Tunberry
2007 Drew Weaver (USA) – Royal Lytham & St. Annes GC
2006 Julien Guerrier (FRA) – Royal St. George’s

A great honour for all of the players listed above but perhaps when one reviews where most of them are now another clear reminder that golf is an incredibly tough game and career to pursue at the professional level.

ME.

Copyright © 2016, Mark Eley. All rights reserved.