The Amateur

Broomhead flurry secures leading qualifier honours

South African Jonathan Broomhead produced an eagle-birdie finish in the late evening sun to emerge as leading qualifier at The 127th Amateur Championship at Royal Lytham & St Annes and St Annes Old Links.

The R&A

14 Jun 22

3 mins

After 36 holes of stroke play qualifying in glorious conditions in Lancashire, Broomhead’s four-under-par 68 at St Annes Old Links saw him post a total of seven-under 135.

It was the same mark as Englishman Barclay Brown, but Broomhead sealed top spot among the 288-man international field by virtue of card countback using the last six holes on both courses. Broomhead, who has posted two top-30 finishes on the Great Britain and Ireland amateur circuit in recent weeks, chipped in for an eagle at the 17th to highlight his day as he led the top 64 and ties into the matchplay stages from tomorrow.

Mastering the Conditions

The South African, commented, “"This is my first time playing in The Amateur. It's absolutely lovely. I went into yesterday having no expectations and just went to play my golf and see what I could do.

"We have been out here for the last four or five weeks. So we've kind of got used to the conditions. I'm very happy with the way I played these past two days and I'm looking forward to keep it going to the match play." Brown, the Stanford University student who ended the collegiate season with back-to-back runner-up finishes, maintained his form as he signed for a seven-under 65 at St Annes Old Links today. He said, “Monday was a grind. I didn’t play all that great but made a load of up-and-downs. It was a little easier coming out here today and fortunately I played well.

"These are obviously great venues and great courses. Lytham is unbelievable and I look forward to the match play.”

The One They All Want

Fellow Walker Cup player Mark Power also shone to post a 65 of his own at St Annes Old Links, finishing on six-under-par to secure third spot in qualifying. Having lost at the semi-final stage of The Amateur in 2020, the Irishman is determined to succeed this year and seal a place in The 150th Open at St Andrews next month. The Irishman said, “For us guys this side of the pond, this is the one we all want. It's a matter of not putting too much pressure on myself. I know I've been in this situation before where I could get a run going and I felt quite confident going into this week.

“When you see the likes of Joe Long and Laird Shepherd coming through the last couple years, you watch those guys on TV playing in the Masters and The Open, that's where we all want to be.” Welshman Archie Davies was another to find his form at St Annes Old Links, signing for a 68 and a five-under-par total. He was joined on that mark by countryman Luke Harries, Nathan Legendre from France and Swede Hugo Townsend. Davies commented, “I got really hot in the middle of the round, nine through 13. I chipped in from the long, thick rough short right of nine which kick-started a load of birdies. It was nice to get some momentum because it wasn't really great up to that."

Day One at The 127th Amateur Championship

1 / 10

In-form Englishman

John Gough, winner of the Lytham Trophy this year, is also safely into the match play after finishing on three-under. Last year’s runner-up at Nairn, Monty Scowsill also bravely battled to a qualifying place. Having been seven-over on the 14th tee at Royal Lytham & St Annes on Monday, he responded to post a level par score for his 36 holes. After surrendering an eight up lead after 17 holes to lose at the 38th to Laird Shepherd 12 months ago, the Englishman is ready for another bid. He said, “Match play is definitely one of my strengths, so to make that cut and I know I can beat anyone on my day. I’ll take that mindset into whoever I play tomorrow.

"Thinking bigger picture, it would be fantastic to be able to get some redemption from last year.” The qualifying cut mark fell at one-over-par, with the Scott brothers from Nairn, fit-again Sandy and Calum, among those to qualify. American pair Christian Banke, helped by another 65 at St Annes Old Links, and Sam Murphy also advanced. The 127th Amateur Championship is open to spectators with tickets available here. The R&A will provide live broadcast coverage of the quarter-finals and semi-finals on Friday 17 June and the 36-hole Final on Saturday 18 June. This can be watched on The R&A’s website randa.org as well as its YouTube channel. Stroke Play Results Match Play Draw