Manassero, Fleetwood to meet in British Am quarter final
photos courtesy Royal & Ancient G.A.
The two players who have been attracting most attention at the 2009 Amateur Championship will go head-to-head tomorrow. Matteo Manassero and Tommy Fleetwood will get the quarter finals underway when they tee-off at 8.15am.
It will not be the first time that the pair has met; they faced each other at Kingsbarns during the 2008 Jacques Leglise trophy when the young Italian overcame a two hole deficit with five to play to emerge victorious.
Against Denmark’s Peter Baunsoe this afternoon, the 16-year-old took an early two-hole lead through three to gain an advantage that he would retain for the rest of the match; a birdie at the par-5 17th enough to halve the hole and seal a 2&1 victory.
Fleetwood, meanwhile, had already completed a 5&4 victory over Lancashire team-mate John Carroll. In front of the largest crowd of the championship so far, Fleetwood produced an exceptional display of golf in front of the 200-strong gallery to reach the last eight.
“That’s close to as good as I can play,” said the 18-year-old. “I’m hardly giving my opponents any chances. I feel like someone will have to play really well to beat me, but in match play you never know what’s around the corner. I think playing in the final last year does give me a bit of an edge over the others. I’ve been there and done it.”
Manassero, who topped the stroke play qualifying having set a course record 65 at West Lancs on Monday, is relishing the match.
“Tommy is a good friend, I am looking forward to the match. It’s true I won last time but this makes no difference for tomorrow.”
Walker Cup squad member, Sam Hutsby, registered a 2&1 victory over Maximilian Kieffer of Germany. Kieffer led for much of the contest, leading by two after 11, but Hutsby came back, winning 12 with a 40-foot putt, 13 with a good up-and-down and 14 with a birdie to take the initiative.
“The (40-foot) putt was crucial, it changed the momentum,” said Hutsby, 18. “It was absolutely the toughest match I’ve had. I played really solid, but he made it so hard.”
Joining the young trio in the fifth round are England’s Darren Renwick and Stiggy Hodgson, and Mark Hillson of Scotland, all of whom won their matches at the final hole. The Netherlands’ Jurrian Van Der Vaart, who won 2&1 this afternoon, and Sweden’s Nils Floren, who won by the same margin, also progress.
NOTE: To view an excellent recap video of the quarter and semi final matches, click here>
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