Amateurs fall flat at British Open

TROON, Scotland (July 15, 2016) -- It was a difficult year for the amateurs with neither Scott Gregory or Stefano Mazzoli making the British Open cut. Playing in the afternoon wave on a cold, winder and wet day at Royal Troon, Englishman Scott Gregory posted a 2-over 73 and finished 36-holes at 9-over. Like Thursday, Gregory played very well on the front nine, shooting a 2-under 34. Gregory started the day slowly with an opening hole bogey before rebounding with three consecutive birdies on holes 4-6. For the week Gregory was 5-under on the front nine. The back nine however was another story. After shooting a 43 in round one, Gregory faltered again on the homeward nine with a 4-over 39. Gregory was 9-over on the back nine this week. The Italian Stefano Mazzoli was part of the second round morning wave on Friday and he finished his first career British Open 12-over-par. Also, playing in difficult conditions Mazzoli shot a 7-over 78, one day after shooting a 5-over 76. Mazzoli wavered on the front side shooting an 8-over 43 but he was able to finish strongly with a closing nine even-par 35. The back nine included birdies on Nos. 11, 14 and 16. ROUND ONE RECAP As part of the afternoon wave Italian Stefano Mazzoli shot a 5-over 76. The Italian was 1-under-par as he made the turn before faltering a bit on the homeward nine with a 6-over 41. Mazzoli tallied three birdies on his day with the birds coming on Nos. 4, 8 and 15. Mazzoli will continue his play in the 145th Open Championship at 7:09 a.m. BST on Friday. Playing in the morning wave Scott Gregory, the 21-year-old Englishman, began his 2016 British Open with a 7-over 78. Gregory came out of the gates on fire as he played a bogey-free, three birdie front nine to turn in 3-under 33. However, the back nine was a different story for last months English Amateur champion. Gregory did reach 4-under with birdie on No. 10 before things began to quickly unravel. The struggles began with a triple-bogey on No. 11 and continued for the remainder of the day as Gregory closed in 10-over 45. Gregory will return to the course for a second round 12:09 p.m. BST starting time on Friday.