British Amateur: South Africa's Broomhead is qualifying medalist

June 14, 2022 | by AmateurGolf.com Staff

Jonathan Broomhead (photo courtesy The R&A)

After tying Barclay Brown of England at 7-under, Jonathan Broomhead earns the top seed via a six-hole countback over both courses

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

Results: British Amateur

Place	Player	Location	Pts
Win	Aldrich Potgieter	, South Africa	1800
Runner-up	Sam Bairstow	, England	1200
Semifinals	John Gough	, England	900
Semifinals	Alex Maguire	, Ireland	900
Quarterfinals	Ludvig Aberg	, Sweden	700

View full results for British Amateur

About the British Amateur

British Amateur: South Africa's Broomhead is qualifying medalist

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 ...