One-sided British Boys' Final at Nairn GC

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Pedro Lincart (Portugal) 5 up on defending champion Falko Hanisch (Germany) after 18 holes of 36-hole final at Nairn Golf Club.

Lincart won 5 and 4.

R and A report of the final

PEDRO LENCART WINS THE 91st BOYS' AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP AT NAIRN

 

 Portugal’s Pedro Lencart defeated defending champion Falko Hanisch 5 and 4 to win the 91st Boys Amateur Championship at Nairn Golf Club today.

Lencart, who won The R and A’s Junior Open in 2016, becomes the first player since Sergio Garcia to win both titles. He will now play in the 123^rd Amateur Championship at Royal Aberdeen and Murcar Links next year, and gains an exemption into Final Qualifying for The 147^th Open as a result of his victory.

The 17-year-old teed off for the second round of the final  6 up over Hanisch after a blistering opening 18 holes that included nine birdies. Hanisch, who lifted the trophy at Muirfield in 2016, struggled to deal with Lencart and faced an uphill battle if he was to become the first player since 1930 to win back-to-back championships.

The German did not give up easily, however and threatened to stage a comeback when he reduced the deficit immediately with a birdie at the 19^th.

Lencart returned to 6up after his opponent conceded the 21^st and went further ahead on the following hole thanks to a birdie on the short par 3.

At seven up, the growing crowd sensed victory was close but Hanisch had other ideas and responded with a birdie at the 23^rd hole. At the 27^th, an unlikely bogey by Lencart gave the defending champion a much-needed boost. The pair matched each other at the next but wins for the German on the 29^th and 30^th, where Lencart found the thick gorse twice, saw him cut the lead to just three holes with 6 holes to play.

The comeback was on as the finalists approached the 31^st tee but Lencart regained his composure quickly and moved four up with another excellent display of putting.

When he dropped his tee shot on the right side of the green at the 32^nd and Hanisch found the left-hand rough the pendulum swung back in his favour. Lencart did not hesitate from there and holed out from 6ft to seal an impressive 5 and 4 victory.

Key quotes:

Pedro Lencart

“I’m really happy. It has been a long week. It was really tough on these courses and in this weather but I am really happy with the way I handled it.

“It was a good start. I played really well, especially on the back nine. I made a lot of birdies – it was good to start like that because Falko played well the second 18. It was tough to keep tying holes and keep staying at that level.

“My putting improved a lot during the week. That was the key point for me.

“It’s a really good championship. You can make a lot of friends here. The Spanish guys are very friendly and the other guys I played with were very friendly as well. They sent me some messages to say they wanted me to win before the final. That was really nice.

On winning both the Junior Open and the Boys Amateur Championship: “I like these types of courses, I like playing here. It’s two tournaments on links courses, although this one is a bit different to Kilmarnock (Barassie), but it’s nice to have won both.

 

Falko Hanisch

“I didn’t play my best golf today but that’s just normal. You can’t always play perfect. I’m just happy to be in the final again. I’m looking forward to playing in The Amateur Championship next year.

“I’m not sad – Pedro  played really well. In good moments, he made birdies. I had a good comeback on the third nine holes but unfortunately for me he just played too well today.

“We talked a lot to each other. He’s a cool guy. It didn’t feel like it was a final where you couldn’t talk to your opponent – it was a cool round of golf. So, it was good atmosphere.

“I was close to missing the cut but after I made it, it was just like last year. I played great golf and had fun so I am really satisfied with this result even if it is not the win.”

The 92^nd Boys Amateur Championship will be played at Royal Portrush and Portstewart from August 19-14, 2018.