Boys' Amateur

Hao leads qualifiers for Boys’ Amateur

The R&A

09 Aug 22

2 mins

Spain’s Jorge Siyuan Hao came out on top in the stroke play qualifying at the 95th Boys’ Amateur Championship at Monifieth and Panmure.

Making his debut appearance in the Boys’ Amateur, Hao carded a two-under-par 69 at Monifieth to finish on four-under-par and secure his place in the match play stage at Carnoustie. “I’m pretty comfortable with my long game and very happy with my putting as I’ve had good pace,” said 16-year-old Hao. “I didn’t get much in trouble and I think that is the key for links courses, along with the pace of putts. “It’s my first time in the Boys’ Amateur and it’s pretty hard conditions with the wind and the fast fairways. I’ve never really played anywhere like this. I’m excited for Carnoustie now in the match play.”

Relaxed mindset

Hao was one shot clear of Marco Florioli (18) from Italy and Swede Wilhelm Ryding (18) who posted three-under-par 68 and four-under-par 67 respectively. Florioli said, “I played really well with my driver and long irons. I hit 16 greens and putted well too. I’m happy with the result. It was tougher at Panmure and a bit easier today. I knew I had to play well today and I enjoyed it. I just relaxed.” Ryding was also delighted to progress. “It was windy but I learned a lot from yesterday,” he said. “A lot of shots spun too much as I wasn’t used to links golf. Today I did softer swings and put more top spin on the ball. It was fun out there. “It’s the first time I’ve played in the Boys’ Amateur and being on links golf as well. It’s totally different to what I’m used to in Sweden. I know Carnoustie is hard so I look forward to it.”

Italian Flavio Michetti (pictured) and Charlie Kelly of Ireland shot the rounds of the week going round 64 (-7) at Monifieth.

Other qualifiers

Four players finished on two-under-par led by Florioli’s compatriot Flavio Michetti and Irishman Charlie Kelly, who produced fine seven-under-par 64s at Monifieth. Sweden’s August Petersson was on the same mark, despite a double bogey at the last at Panmure, as was leading home hope Connor Graham, after a level-par round of 70 at the same venue. A total of 64 players qualified for the match play stage of the championship which gets underway at Carnoustie on Thursday. History is being made this year with the championship being staged alongside the Girls’ Amateur Championship at the renowned Angus links for the first time. Among the other leading qualifiers were Englishmen Kris Kim, Sam Easterbrook, Jake Plumb and Reis Suart on one-under-par.

Spain success

On a good day for the Spanish contingent, after Paula Martin Sampedro led the qualifiers for the Girls’ Amateur, Jaime Montojo Fernandez also qualified on one-under-par alongside France’s Louis Anceaux, Emil Elkjaer Petersen of Denmark, Filippo Ponzano and Luca Memeo of Italy and Oscar Bach of Norway. Luke Poulter, son of Ryder Cup star Ian, made it through on one-under as well after a 66 at Monifieth and Scottish Men’s Amateur Champion Oliver Mukherjee also progressed after finishing on one-over-par. The Boys’ Amateur and Girls’ Amateur championships are supported by EventScotland. For the first time, the 36-hole finals of both championships on Sunday will be live streamed at Carnoustie and can be watched on The R&A’s website at www.randa.orgas well as on The R&A YouTube channel. The match play draw and scoring is also available at www.randa.org.