GARY BOYD TOPS QUALIFIERS
FOR ENGLISH AMATEUR
CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH-PLAY
FROM THE ENGLISH GOLF UNION WEBSITE
Just 24 hours after Shane Winstone set the record with 64 at Royal Cinque Ports, Gary Boyd (pictured right) matched it with 64 of his own to top the qualifiers in the English amateur championship.
Boyd’s eight under par score followed his fine 70 at Royal St George’s and ensured his position as No 1 seed for the match-play stages that start at Sandwich this morning.
He was four strokes clear of second-placed Winstone, who found Royal St George’s a tougher proposition with a 74 for 138.
Boyd was an early starter at 8.20am at Deal and benefited from calm, early morning conditions. But he still had to post a score and put it all down to his improved swing,
“I’ve been working on it all year with Tim Rouse at Northants County and my swing feels a lot better,” he said modestly. “ I’ve had a few poor weeks but overall it’s been a consistent year when I’ve only missed one cut.”
The 20 year old England international was out in 30, thanks to six successive birdies from the third, and, although he dropped a shot with a 5 at the 12th, he reeled off three more at the 15th, 16th and 17th.
“It’s my best tournament round,” he added. “I don’t think I could have dreamt of a 64 but you get days like this when everything seems to go right. I had a lot more chances so I could have broken 60.”
Boyd has a fine record in the "English," having reached the quarter finals for the past two years. He also did well in last year’s British amateur championship at Royal St George’s before losing to Spanish ace Pablo Martin at the 20th hole in the last 32.
While Boyd was buoyant after his 64, Winstone found matters a whole lot different at Royal St George’s but he was happy with his 74.
“I didn’t hit the ball as well as yesterday but this course is a lot tougher,” said the lad from Bristol. “I chipped and putted well but the breeze got up on the back nine and made it even trickier.”
International David Horsey shot 68 at Cinque Ports for 136, while Ben Evans, 73 at St George’s, qualified fourth on 139
A stroke further back were Adam Wainwright from Lincolnshire and Leicestershire’s Neil Chaudhuri after both shot 70 while Jamie Moul (the highest placed Englishman in the R&A WAGR) carded 72 at Royal St George’s to qualify on 141 alongside Neil Harris from Manchester who had 72 and Hertfordshire’s Tom Shadbolt 71, both at Cinque Ports.
Also on 141, after 72 at St George’s, is Daniel Willett, the player many believe is a real danger after his exploits in America and an impressive 10-stroke victory in last week’s South of England stroke play championship at Walton Heath.
“I didn’t play that well but I’ll take 72 round here,” said the 19 year old from Rotherham who must have caught the eye of the Walker Cup selectors.
“I’ve had a good year,” he added. “I’ve won twice in America this year and last week’s big win has showed me what I’m capable of.”
A total of 75 players on 149 or better qualified for the beginning of the match play. One notable exception is 2005 champion Paul Waring whose best-of-the-day 69 at St George’s left him on 151.
“This championship has come a week too soon for me,” he said. “I needed a week off after playing in the Open Championship and although I came back in 32 today I never expected a lot this week.”
Boyd’s eight under par score followed his fine 70 at Royal St George’s and ensured his position as No 1 seed for the match-play stages that start at Sandwich this morning.
He was four strokes clear of second-placed Winstone, who found Royal St George’s a tougher proposition with a 74 for 138.
Boyd was an early starter at 8.20am at Deal and benefited from calm, early morning conditions. But he still had to post a score and put it all down to his improved swing,
“I’ve been working on it all year with Tim Rouse at Northants County and my swing feels a lot better,” he said modestly. “ I’ve had a few poor weeks but overall it’s been a consistent year when I’ve only missed one cut.”
The 20 year old England international was out in 30, thanks to six successive birdies from the third, and, although he dropped a shot with a 5 at the 12th, he reeled off three more at the 15th, 16th and 17th.
“It’s my best tournament round,” he added. “I don’t think I could have dreamt of a 64 but you get days like this when everything seems to go right. I had a lot more chances so I could have broken 60.”
Boyd has a fine record in the "English," having reached the quarter finals for the past two years. He also did well in last year’s British amateur championship at Royal St George’s before losing to Spanish ace Pablo Martin at the 20th hole in the last 32.
While Boyd was buoyant after his 64, Winstone found matters a whole lot different at Royal St George’s but he was happy with his 74.
“I didn’t hit the ball as well as yesterday but this course is a lot tougher,” said the lad from Bristol. “I chipped and putted well but the breeze got up on the back nine and made it even trickier.”
International David Horsey shot 68 at Cinque Ports for 136, while Ben Evans, 73 at St George’s, qualified fourth on 139
A stroke further back were Adam Wainwright from Lincolnshire and Leicestershire’s Neil Chaudhuri after both shot 70 while Jamie Moul (the highest placed Englishman in the R&A WAGR) carded 72 at Royal St George’s to qualify on 141 alongside Neil Harris from Manchester who had 72 and Hertfordshire’s Tom Shadbolt 71, both at Cinque Ports.
Also on 141, after 72 at St George’s, is Daniel Willett, the player many believe is a real danger after his exploits in America and an impressive 10-stroke victory in last week’s South of England stroke play championship at Walton Heath.
“I didn’t play that well but I’ll take 72 round here,” said the 19 year old from Rotherham who must have caught the eye of the Walker Cup selectors.
“I’ve had a good year,” he added. “I’ve won twice in America this year and last week’s big win has showed me what I’m capable of.”
A total of 75 players on 149 or better qualified for the beginning of the match play. One notable exception is 2005 champion Paul Waring whose best-of-the-day 69 at St George’s left him on 151.
“This championship has come a week too soon for me,” he said. “I needed a week off after playing in the Open Championship and although I came back in 32 today I never expected a lot this week.”
LEADING MATCH-PLAY QUALIFIERS
134 Gary Boyd (Cherwell Edge) 70 64.
136 David Horsey (Styal) 68 68.
138 Shane Winstone (Knowle) 74 64, .
139 Ben Evans (Rye) 73 69.
140 Adam Wainwright (Gainsborough) 70 70, Neil Chaudhuri (The Leicestershire) 70 70.
141 Nicky Harris (Whitefield) 69 72, Thomas Shadbolt (Mid Herts) 70 71, Jamie Moul (Stoke by Nayland) 72 69, Daniel Willett (Rotherham) 72 69.
142 Matthew Baldwin (Royal Birkdale) 73 69, David Corsby (Fleetwood) 74 69.
143 Andrew Cooley (Chobham) 72 71, Chris Paisley (Stocksfield) 73 70, John Parry (Harrogate)
73 70, Jamie Howarth (Stockport) 73 70, Liam Burns (Sundridge Park) 73 70, Ben Rickett (Surbiton) 74 69.
Campbell, Lloyd
Rochester & Cobham
72
72
144
20
O'Reilly, Danny
North Foreland
73
71
144
21
Blainey, Gregg
Bearwood Lakes
75
69
144
Labels: Amateur Men
posted by Colin |
See story on its own page | Wednesday, August 01, 2007
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