Scot Blair Morton qualifies to play

 

in Brabazon Trophy at Alwoodley

 

Over 60 players came through regional qualifiers today to clinch their places in the field for the prestigious Brabazon Trophy.

 

Warwickshire’s Liam Phipps and George Leversuch of Essex led the way at the southern event, both scoring four-under 66 at Hindhead Golf Club in Surrey.

 

At the northern event at Lindrick in Yorkshire, Charlie Daughtrey – from the host county – and Scotland’s Blair Morton (Royal Troon) shared the honours on two-under 68.

 

They lead the 33 qualifiers from each course who will join the exempt players for the championship at Alwoodley Golf Club, Yorkshire, from May 30 to June 2.

It’s England Golf’s flagship tournament for men, attracting an international amateur field and two past winners have gone on to win Majors.

Phipps, who works at The Belfry, also qualified for last year’s Brabazon and had the top individual score at the 2018 English Champion Club tournament. The 23-year-old from Olton commented:

 “It’s a goal to try to get a little bit better every year. I’ve played the county stuff and done well in that and now the plan is to try to play well in national events this year.”

Leversuch, from Wanstead, matched his score with a round which started with four birdies in the first six holes. He had three more on the back nine, including one on the last.

In the north, Daughtrey (Rotherham) came in late in the day with a very tidy card of three birdies and a bogey. “I’ve had a tough couple of years swing-wise, but I’ve worked really hard over the winter and it all seems to be coming together,” said the 18-year-old.

“I played really solid today round a tough course. It was stress free, which is nice, fairways and greens.”

Daughtrey, who has twice helped Yorkshire win the English Boys’ County Finals, will be playing in the Brabazon for the first time.

So, too, will Blair Morton, from Royal Troon. He reaped the benefit today of great preparation, having arrived on Friday, in time to play the Lindrick Open over the weekend. His scores then included a 67 and he came second.

“Today is probably the fifth or sixth time I have played the course and it definitely helped,” said the 22-year-old.

Behind them were three players on 69: Ben Goodison (Coventry), James Cass (Fulford) and Sam Turner (Royal Lytham and St Anne's).  

Click here for the northern scores from Lindrick

Click here for the southern scores from Hindhead