ELLEN HUME IS NEW ENGLISH

 

WOMEN'S AMATEUR CHAMPION

 

Hertfordshire’s Ellen Hume, pictured, is the new English Women’s Amateur Champion, winning a superb final against Lily May Humphreys on the 19^th hole at wet and windy Saunton Golf Club, Devon.

Despite the most testing conditions the players produced great golf, with the momentum swinging to and fro over the closing stages.

Humphreys (Stoke by Nayland) birdied the short 16^th to get back to all square. Hume immediately birdied the long 17 to go one ahead. Humphreys won 18 with a par three to take the game down the 19^th.

It was there that Hume claimed the title with a steady par, after Humphreys’ approach found a thick clump of rough just off the green.

“It’s the toughest match I’ve ever played,” said the 19-year-old from Mill Green Golf Club. “I know that Lily is a great player and I felt I was the underdog going into the match, definitely.

“It’s unbelievable, I never expected to win, especially with the opponents I’ve had. The odds weren’t in my favour!”

Humphreys, the top seed, was going for her third big title of the month, having already won the Irish and Welsh stroke play championships. But Hume’s confidence was high.

She’s returned from her first year at university in the USA with her game in great shape and underlined that earlier this month when she won the Hertfordshire championship.

Earlier this week she had already claimed a series of notable scalps, including those of defending champion Georgina Blackman and Emily Toy, another England international.

In this morning’s semi-finals she showed her fighting qualities after going four down to Emily Brennan (Trentham) after five holes. Hume began her rally on the eighth and steadily pegged back the deficit until she won 3/1.

In the final she went straight on to the front foot by winning the first hole with a par, which she felt was key to her success. “It was crucial to settle any nerves,” commented Hume.

She was never behind in the game, although Humphreys pulled her back to all square on three occasions.

“Match-play is a format I like,” said Hume. “My game was in a good place after my year at college in America and winning the county championship – in exactly the same format – helped prepare me for this.”

Humphreys reached the final by beating Jess Baker (Gosforth Park Ladies) 7 and 6.

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Image copyright Leaderboard Photography