British boys' championship at Muirfield

Aguilera KOs defending champion 

Svensson to each last eight

 

NEWS RELEASE FROM R and A

 Spain's Alejandro Aguilera eliminated defending champion Marcus Svensson to reach the quarter-finals of The 90^th Boys Amateur Championship at Muirfield today.

Aguilera beats defending champion Svensson at Muirfield

The 16-year-old, the youngest player left in the field, led for the majority of the match, winning the 4^th hole with a birdie two, before Svensson conceded on the 7^th to extend the lead to two holes.

The pair traded holes between the 8^th and 10^th, but two successive bogeys by Aguilera on the 15^th and 16^th left the match all square. However, the Spanish youngster kept his composure on the final hole, producing a fine up and down from the left hand bunker to seal the match with a par.

As a result, Aguilera will win the Peter Garner Bowl for the player under 17 years of age who has progressed furthest in the Championship.

England’s Danny Daniels is also through to tomorrow’s quarter finals after a 3 and 1 win over compatriot Arrun Singh Brar. In blustery, wet conditions on Scotland’s east coast, the Essendon member took control of the contest from the 7^th and led throughout before securing the result on the 17^th hole following a bogey six from his opponent.

Lucas Becht found himself four holes in front after the 10^th hole against Ruben Petterson, and never looked back as the Belgian closed out the match against the Dane on the 16^th.
Also through to the quarter finals are David Nyfjall, Matias Honkala, Falko Hanisch, Adrien Pendaries and Charlie Thornton, who won on the second extra hole against Timo Vahlenkamp.

During the morning third round matches, leading qualifier Kristoffer Reitan was beaten by England’s Daniel O’Loughlin on the final hole to exit the Championship, while Ireland’s Thomas Mulligan, who had beaten the much fancied Rayhan John Thomas in the previous round, lost 3 and 1 to Daniels.

The quarter-finals get underway tomorrow from 8am at Muirfield. Admission and parking is free. 

For the match play draw and scoring please visit championships.randa.org

Key Quotes:

Alejandro Aguilera:

“It’s difficult to say how I feel; I’ve never felt something like this. It was amazing to have the support out there. My short game was good and I hit many fairways. I wish to win it, but I know it will be very, very difficult. I will try and play my best, it’s amazing to be here at Muirfield as I’ve only ever played in England.”

Danny Daniels:

“I’m really happy, I played some really good golf there. I managed to grind out the result in the end and played great. I holed some putts to save par. I’m really happy to get this far.

“I’m just taking one game at a time and I’m happy to be here at Muirfield and enjoy the experience, it’s not every day you get to play here. We’ll see how we go tomorrow and just enjoy it.”

Lucas Becht:

“It’s amazing to get to the quarter-finals. I came here looking to do my best and having got through is just the best thing I could have hoped for. I’m really happy.”