Bairstow and Potgieter to meet in British Amateur final
6/17/2022 | by Royal & Ancient
see also: View results for British Amateur, Royal St. George's Golf Club
Bairstow survives an all-English semi-final against John Gough while teenager Potgieter edges Irishman Alex Maguire
Englishman Sam Bairstow and Aldrich Potgieter from South Africa will contest the final of The 127th Amateur Championship at Royal Lytham & St Annes on Saturday.
As well as winning one of the most prestigious titles in the amateur game, the victor tomorrow can look forward to competing in The 150th Open at St Andrews next month, the 2023 US Open and, by tradition, an invitation to play in the Masters Tournament.
Sheffield native Bairstow impressively won six holes in a row from the 4th, thanks to three birdies and errors from his opponent, to put the left-hander in full control. Beaconsfield’s Gough had only lost one of his previous 24 match play ties and won the Lytham Trophy over the Lancashire links in May, but his superb run came to a halt as the Hallowes member triumphed.
Open chance again
Bairstow came through Final Qualifying at St Annes Old Links to reach The 149th Open at Royal St George’s last year and is now just one match away from a quick return trip to golf’s oldest championship.
“I played pretty solid and I don't think John had his best game which is unfortunate because it would have been a great match if we both did,” he said.
“I'm the highest-ranked Great Britain and Ireland player this week (19th on WAGR®) but I’m pretty calm. Obviously, certain situations like the first tee or whatever, coming down the last, you feel a bit nervous but I find if you put on a brave face it's a lot easier to manage them.
“I don't think I'll try to think about The Open until tomorrow. I can't think about that because otherwise I'm just not going to concentrate on my game. I’ve just got to keep on doing what I'm doing.”
Strong support
In windier afternoon conditions in front of large crowds, Potgieter eased to a three-up lead after eight holes against Maguire. But the Laytown & Bettystown player, winner of the East of Ireland Amateur last week, rallied after bogeys from the South African at the 9th and 11th. Potgieter, who has won three times in his homeland this year at junior level, stayed strong to close it out on the 17th.
There have only been two previous winners of The Amateur Championship from South Africa – Jovan Rebula at Royal Aberdeen in 2018 and Bobby Cole at Carnoustie in 1966 – as Potgieter seeks to join an exclusive group.
“It’s my first time in the UK,” admitted Potgieter, world-ranked 140th. “I think I've got the wind factor nailed down. It took a few rounds to get know how to hit the shots around the greens but it’s coming along nicely now.
“I’m young but I’ve played a few events in Australia and over in South Africa as well, and match play events. I've done well in those events. With this coming around, I’ve just been doing the same as I've done in previous tournaments. You just keep going, play your game.
“The prizes tomorrow are always sitting in the back of your mind. I’m looking forward to it. If I get the win, I’m playing in the biggest events in the world. Yeah, really looking forward to it. “I moved to Australia when I was eight-years-old and lived there for nine years, and then recently moved back to South Africa.”
In the quarterfinals, Bairstow finished with a flourish to knock out Ludvig Åberg. The Swede – the third-best player on the World Amateur Golf Ranking® (WAGR®) – found problems off the tee on the final two holes, but Bairstow still holed a 50-foot putt on the 17th for par and rolled in another 15-footer on the 18th for birdie to secure a two-hole success and go further than his last-eight appearance at Nairn last year.
Gough was two down after six holes to Irishman Peter O’Keeffe, 40, in their last-eight tie but again displayed the battling qualities that have underpinned his efforts this week. Gough replied with birdies at the 8th and 9th and stayed strong on the back nine, finishing with birdies on the 16th and 17th for a 2&1 triumph.
Roll of honor
Maguire had a tight quarterfinal with Australian Max Charles, with never more than one hole in it. Charles won the 14th to go one up but he followed it with three straight bogeys as Maguire came through on the 17th 2&1.
Potgieter was a model of consistency as he reeled off pars to secure a five-up lead after 12 holes as his opponent, German Laurenz Schiergen, struggled. Schiergen replied with birdies on the 13th and 16th but Potgieter closed out a 2&1 win.
The finalists will now seek to join an Amateur Championship roll of honor that includes José María Olazábal, Sergio Garcia, Matteo Manassero and Romain Langasque.
How to Watch
The R&A provided live broadcast coverage of the quarter-finals and semi-finals today and will do so again tomorrow for the 36-hole Final. This can be watched on The R&A’s website as well as its YouTube channel.
As well as winning one of the most prestigious titles in the amateur game, the victor tomorrow can look forward to competing in The 150th Open at St Andrews next month, the 2023 US Open and, by tradition, an invitation to play in the Masters Tournament.
Open chance again
Bairstow came through Final Qualifying at St Annes Old Links to reach The 149th Open at Royal St George’s last year and is now just one match away from a quick return trip to golf’s oldest championship.
“I played pretty solid and I don't think John had his best game which is unfortunate because it would have been a great match if we both did,” he said.
“I'm the highest-ranked Great Britain and Ireland player this week (19th on WAGR®) but I’m pretty calm. Obviously, certain situations like the first tee or whatever, coming down the last, you feel a bit nervous but I find if you put on a brave face it's a lot easier to manage them.
“I don't think I'll try to think about The Open until tomorrow. I can't think about that because otherwise I'm just not going to concentrate on my game. I’ve just got to keep on doing what I'm doing.”
Strong support
In windier afternoon conditions in front of large crowds, Potgieter eased to a three-up lead after eight holes against Maguire. But the Laytown & Bettystown player, winner of the East of Ireland Amateur last week, rallied after bogeys from the South African at the 9th and 11th. Potgieter, who has won three times in his homeland this year at junior level, stayed strong to close it out on the 17th.
There have only been two previous winners of The Amateur Championship from South Africa – Jovan Rebula at Royal Aberdeen in 2018 and Bobby Cole at Carnoustie in 1966 – as Potgieter seeks to join an exclusive group.
“It’s my first time in the UK,” admitted Potgieter, world-ranked 140th. “I think I've got the wind factor nailed down. It took a few rounds to get know how to hit the shots around the greens but it’s coming along nicely now.
Youthful driveQuarter & semi-finals ✅
— The R&A (@RandA) June 17, 2022
Watch our best bits from day five at The Amateur Championship on YouTube 👉 https://t.co/nV9mczE5Io pic.twitter.com/y1HqZ4keLu
“I’m young but I’ve played a few events in Australia and over in South Africa as well, and match play events. I've done well in those events. With this coming around, I’ve just been doing the same as I've done in previous tournaments. You just keep going, play your game.
“The prizes tomorrow are always sitting in the back of your mind. I’m looking forward to it. If I get the win, I’m playing in the biggest events in the world. Yeah, really looking forward to it. “I moved to Australia when I was eight-years-old and lived there for nine years, and then recently moved back to South Africa.”
In the quarterfinals, Bairstow finished with a flourish to knock out Ludvig Åberg. The Swede – the third-best player on the World Amateur Golf Ranking® (WAGR®) – found problems off the tee on the final two holes, but Bairstow still holed a 50-foot putt on the 17th for par and rolled in another 15-footer on the 18th for birdie to secure a two-hole success and go further than his last-eight appearance at Nairn last year.
Gough was two down after six holes to Irishman Peter O’Keeffe, 40, in their last-eight tie but again displayed the battling qualities that have underpinned his efforts this week. Gough replied with birdies at the 8th and 9th and stayed strong on the back nine, finishing with birdies on the 16th and 17th for a 2&1 triumph.
Roll of honor
Maguire had a tight quarterfinal with Australian Max Charles, with never more than one hole in it. Charles won the 14th to go one up but he followed it with three straight bogeys as Maguire came through on the 17th 2&1.
Potgieter was a model of consistency as he reeled off pars to secure a five-up lead after 12 holes as his opponent, German Laurenz Schiergen, struggled. Schiergen replied with birdies on the 13th and 16th but Potgieter closed out a 2&1 win.
The finalists will now seek to join an Amateur Championship roll of honor that includes José María Olazábal, Sergio Garcia, Matteo Manassero and Romain Langasque.
How to Watch
The R&A provided live broadcast coverage of the quarter-finals and semi-finals today and will do so again tomorrow for the 36-hole Final. This can be watched on The R&A’s website as well as its YouTube channel.
Results: British Amateur
| Place | Player | Location | Pts | Scores |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | , South Africa | 1800 | ||
| Runner-up | , England | 1200 | ||
| Semifinals | , England | 900 | ||
| Semifinals | , Ireland | 900 | ||
| Quarterfinals | , Sweden | 700 |
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 ...
Most Popular Articles
2025 PGA TOUR Q-School Guide: Sites, Scores, and Who Advanced
Dec 5, 2025Second Stage is complete and Final Stage awaits at Sawgrass — follow every Q-School leaderboard and the players still chasing
2025 LPGA TOUR Q-Series: Final Qualifying Stage FINAL SCORING
Dec 8, 2025Helen Briem earns medalist honors, 31 players headed to the LPGA next year
2025 PGA TOUR Q-School Final Stage: Ewart Leads Five New TOUR Card Winners
Dec 14, 2025A.J. Ewart topped Final Stage at TPC Sawgrass, leading five players who secured PGA TOUR membership for 2026.
Australian Open at Royal Melbourne: Preview, amateur bios, and how to watch
Nov 30, 2025Rory McIlroy headlines one of the championship's top fields in years - at least four amateurs will have their chance at glory
Inside Gil Hanse’s Restoration of Baltusrol’s Upper Course: A Return to Tillinghast’s
Dec 11, 2025Renowned architect Gil Hanse reveals how he brought Baltusrol’s Upper Course back to life by honoring A.W. Tillinghast’s original