Jonathan Broomhead (photo courtesy The R&A)
After posting the same 36-hole score as Englishman
Barclay Brown,
Jonathan Broomhead of South Africa secured the top spot among the 288-man international field at the British Amateur.
His position was determined by a unique card countback that used the last six holes on both courses.
Broomhead, who has posted two top-30 finishes on the Great Britain and Ireland amateur circuit in recent weeks, chipped in for an eagle at the 17th (at St. Annes Old Links, the second of the two qualifying courses) on his way to a 4-under 68. The South African opened with a 3-under 67 yesterday at Royal Lytham, which has hosted 11 Open Championships.
“This is my first time playing in The Amateur," said Broomhead. It's absolutely lovely. I went into yesterday having no expectations and just went to play my golf and see what I could do."
"We have been out here for the last four or five weeks. So we've kind of got used to the conditions. I'm very happy with the way I played these past two days and I'm looking forward to keep it going to the match play."
Brown, the lanky Stanford University student and GB&I Walker Cupper known for his bucket hat -- he's not wearing it this week though -- maintained his form as he signed for a seven-under 65 at St Annes Old Links today.
Royal Lytham's grand clubhouse greets
matches that reach the 18th hole “Monday was a grind," said Brown, who ended the collegiate season with back-to-back runner-up finishes. "I didn’t play all that great but made a load of up-and-downs. It was a little easier coming out here today and fortunately I played well.
"These are obviously great venues and great courses. Lytham is unbelievable and I look forward to the match play.”
Fellow Walker Cup player
Mark Power also shone to post a 65 of his own at St Annes Old Links, finishing on six-under-par to secure third spot in qualifying. Having lost at the semi-final stage of The Amateur in 2020, the Irishman is determined to succeed this year and seal a place in The 150th Open at St Andrews next month.
“For us guys this side of the pond, this is the one we all want," said Power. "It's a matter of not putting too much pressure on myself. I know I've been in this situation before where I could get a run going and I felt quite confident going into this week.
“When you see the likes of
Joe Long and
Laird Shepherd coming through the last couple years, you watch those guys on TV playing in the Masters and The Open, that's where we all want to be.”
Welshman
Archie Davies was another to find his form at St Annes Old Links, signing for a 68 and a five-under-par total. He was joined on that mark by countryman
Luke Harries,
Nathan Legendre from France and Swede
Hugo Townsend.
John Gough, winner of the Lytham Trophy this year, is also safely into the match play after finishing on three-under.
A SECOND CHANCE FOR SCOWSILL
Last year’s disappointed runner-up at Nairn,
Monty Scowsill of England bravely battled to a qualifying place. Having been 7-over on the 14th tee at Royal Lytham & St Annes on Monday, he responded by going 7-under for his final 22 holes, for a level par qualifying total.
A determined Monty Scowsill In 2021 at Nairn, Scowsill surrendered an eight-up lead after 17 holes to lose at the 38th to Laird Shepherd.
“Match play is definitely one of my strengths, so to make that cut and I know I can beat anyone on my day. I’ll take that mindset into whoever I play tomorrow," he said.
"Thinking bigger picture, it would be fantastic to be able to get some redemption from last year.”
If not for his tough British Amateur loss in 2021, Scowsill would be at U.S. Open this week, in place of Shepherd who gained an exemption via his win to join
14 other amateurs in the field.
The qualifying cut mark fell at one-over-par, with the Scott brothers from Nairn, healthy again Sandy and Calum, among those to qualify.
WATCH OUT FOR THE USA
American pair
Christian Banke of University of Arizona -- helped by a stellar 65 at St Annes Old Links -- and Lousiana Tech Bulldog
Sam Murphy also advanced.
HOW TO WATCH
The R&A will provide live broadcast coverage of the quarter-finals and semi-finals on Friday 17 June and the 36-hole Final on Saturday 18 June.
This can be watched on The R&A’s website
randa.org as well as its YouTube channel.
The R&A contributed to this story and provided quotes and photos
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.
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