St Andrews Links Press Release
TOP-CLASS FIELD ASSURED FOR
ST ANDREWS LINKS TROPHY
AHEAD OF MAY 4 DEADLINE
The St Andrews Links Trophy, sponsored by Burberry, is set to maintain its position as one of amateur golf’s most highly regarded tournaments.
Historically, it has been seen as the top stroke-play tournament in Europe with a truly international field from around the world and this year’s St Andrews Links Trophy is no exception.
The St Andrews Links Trophy, sponsored by Burberry, is set to maintain its position as one of amateur golf’s most highly regarded tournaments.
Historically, it has been seen as the top stroke-play tournament in Europe with a truly international field from around the world and this year’s St Andrews Links Trophy is no exception.
It will be fiercely contested over the Old Course and the Jubilee Course from Friday to Sunday, June 8 to 10 and with teenager Oliver Fisher, the 2006 winner, now a professional, the way is open for a new name to be inscribed on one of golf’s most prestigious trophies.
Already in the field are 17 players better than +3 handicap. Ireland’s Rory McIlroy, currently playing off +5.1, is the backmarker in what promises to be an outstanding entry at the cut-off date of Friday, May 4.
McIlroy, 17, pictured above, has already shown huge promise with a string of impressive wins to his name including this year’s Sherry Cup and the 2006 European amateur championship, a title that guarantees him a place in the Open at Carnoustie in July.
“I can’t wait for it”, said McIlroy. “Carnoustie is going to be unbelievably tough. Still, you have got to believe that, if it is anywhere near as tough as the last time, it might level the playing field a bit.”
Before then, McIlroy, currently No. 2 in the R&A World Amateur Golf Rankings, has a full calendar of competitive challenges with the St Andrews Links Trophy a major target pencilled in for this, his last year in amateur golf.
The St Andrews Links Trophy has always attracted a strong overseas entry, although since Stuart Bouvier of South Africa won the Trophy in 1990, its second year, the winners have all come from Scotland and England.
That succession is bound to change soon and with several players already entered from South Africa and Australia, perhaps the time is right for a second overseas name on the silverware.
Louis De Jager of South Africa is currently in-form and already has won the Gauteng North Open, and more recently his own national amateur championship. He will be accompanied by countrymen Branden Grace, Charles Durnian and Prinavin Nelson, all top-class golfers with realistic expectations of good performances at St Andrews.
Entries have also been received from Australian amateurs Rick Kulacz, Aaron Pike and Blake McGrory, who recently won the highly-regarded Lake Macquarie tournament.
In September of this year GB&I take on the U.S. in the Walker Cup match at Royal County Down and with selection for that match a target for all of the Home Countries’ top amateurs, the Links Trophy is assured of an outstanding entry.
The field of 144 will play one round on the Jubilee Course on Friday 8 June, one on the Old Course on Saturday 9 June and the top 40 qualifiers and ties then play 36 holes over the Old Course on the Sunday.
Already in the field are 17 players better than +3 handicap. Ireland’s Rory McIlroy, currently playing off +5.1, is the backmarker in what promises to be an outstanding entry at the cut-off date of Friday, May 4.
McIlroy, 17, pictured above, has already shown huge promise with a string of impressive wins to his name including this year’s Sherry Cup and the 2006 European amateur championship, a title that guarantees him a place in the Open at Carnoustie in July.
“I can’t wait for it”, said McIlroy. “Carnoustie is going to be unbelievably tough. Still, you have got to believe that, if it is anywhere near as tough as the last time, it might level the playing field a bit.”
Before then, McIlroy, currently No. 2 in the R&A World Amateur Golf Rankings, has a full calendar of competitive challenges with the St Andrews Links Trophy a major target pencilled in for this, his last year in amateur golf.
The St Andrews Links Trophy has always attracted a strong overseas entry, although since Stuart Bouvier of South Africa won the Trophy in 1990, its second year, the winners have all come from Scotland and England.
That succession is bound to change soon and with several players already entered from South Africa and Australia, perhaps the time is right for a second overseas name on the silverware.
Louis De Jager of South Africa is currently in-form and already has won the Gauteng North Open, and more recently his own national amateur championship. He will be accompanied by countrymen Branden Grace, Charles Durnian and Prinavin Nelson, all top-class golfers with realistic expectations of good performances at St Andrews.
Entries have also been received from Australian amateurs Rick Kulacz, Aaron Pike and Blake McGrory, who recently won the highly-regarded Lake Macquarie tournament.
In September of this year GB&I take on the U.S. in the Walker Cup match at Royal County Down and with selection for that match a target for all of the Home Countries’ top amateurs, the Links Trophy is assured of an outstanding entry.
The field of 144 will play one round on the Jubilee Course on Friday 8 June, one on the Old Course on Saturday 9 June and the top 40 qualifiers and ties then play 36 holes over the Old Course on the Sunday.
Labels: Amateur Men
posted by Colin |
See story on its own page | Wednesday, April 11, 2007
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