British Amateur: Martin Equals Course Record
SANDWICH, ENGLAND (June 20, 2006) -- Pablo Martin of Spain equalled the course record of 67 at Royal St George's to ensure himself a spot in the match play rounds of the Amateur Championship. His card was 12 shots lower than the 79 he scored at Prince's yesterday, giving him a total of 146, four shots behind qualifying leader Llewellyn Matthews of Southerndown.
The Royal St George's record was set in the third round of the 2003 Open Championship by Nick Faldo and Pierre Fulke.
Matthews established his lead with a three-under-par round of 68 at Royal St George's to add to his first round 74 at Prince's for a 142 total. The 22-year-old former greenkeeper from Bridgend reached the last 16 of the Amateur at St Andrews in 2004.
Bogeys outweighed birdies on the outward nine for Australian Jamie Arnold at Prince's, but he came back in a three-birdie 33 for a round of 70 and an aggregate of 143. He was joined on that score late in the day by Ross McGowan of Banstead Downs who had the luxury of a two-over-par 74 at Prince's after his fine 69 yesterday at St George's.
One shot further back was Oliver Fisher, the youngest ever Walker Cup player who won the recent St Andrews Links Trophy. "Some of the pin positions were horrendous," he said, "but the main purpose was to qualify."
Also in the draw for first round matches is twice champion Gary Wolstenholme, winner of the title in 1991 and 2003, with a one-under-par round at Prince's for 146 and a comfortable qualifying position.
A 12-man tie for 64th place on 152 means that 76 players will now fight it out in head-to-head match play over 18 holes, finishing with a 36-hole final on Saturday.
For complete qualifying scores, click on the tournament link above.
ABOUT THE British Amateur
This championship, along with the US Amateur Golf
Championship, is considered the most important in
amateur golf.
The first stage of the Championship involves 288
players each of whom plays two rounds of 18 holes,
one to be played on each of the two courses. The 64
lowest scores over the 36 holes and ties for 64th
place will compete in the match play stage of the
Championship. Each match will consist of one round
of 18 holes except the Final which will be over 36
holes.
View Complete Tournament Information