Hertfordshire’s England junior international Jack Bigham and Farnham’s Lottie Woad will be able to compete in England’s first mixed-gender junior championship in 2021.
Picture by LEADERBOARD PHOTOGRAPHY

ENGLAND Golf will stage its first ever mixed-gender championship during the 2021 season.

The landmark tournament – the English Under 18 Championship – will see boys and girls tee it up alongside each other and compete for the one trophy at Surrey’s Farnham Golf Club, between 25-27 June.

The field of 132 players (66 boys and 66 girls) will go head-to-head over 72 holes of strokeplay with no handicap or stroke allowances given.

The girls will play from separate tees from the boys, but the set-up will be done in such a way as to make the scores comparable.

England Golf’s director of championships James Crampton said: “We are always looking at innovative and positive ways to take the game forward – and this event is a step in that direction.

“It’s an exciting concept and one that I know the boys and girls will fully embrace.

“This promises to be another fantastic event for junior golfers in England, bringing together the cream of the country’s young amateurs for three days of excellent competition.”

Farnham GC has been given the honour of staging the event – a fitting way for the stunning heathland venue to celebrate its 125^th anniversary.

All competitors will play 18 holes of strokeplay on each of the first two days.

The top 40 players and ties will then progress for the final day and carry forward their scores before a further 36 holes of strokeplay decides the winner.

The championship is also the first “closed” event in England for juniors and repeats the successful formula at events already included in the schedule for men and women.

It is open to competitors who were born in England – or who have a parent or grandparent who were born in England, or who have resided in England for two years prior to the start of the championship.

England junior international Lottie Woad will be one of fancied favourites when the event is held on her home course at Farnham.

Woad – the youngest-ever winner of the Surrey Ladies Amateur Championship at just 15 in 2019 – reached the quarter-finals of the English Amateur this summer.

She also received a couple invites to play in the first and last of the seven Rose Ladies Series events in 2020, including the Grand Final.

Woad made the cut after 36 holes at The Berkshire and North Hants, she qualified for the weekend final at Wentworth, which was sadly abandoned because of the huge heathland fire that swept across the Chobham Common, in early July.

Winning England’s first mixed-gender championship would boost an already impressive CV for the runner-up in the 2018 English Schools Championship.

Moortown – one of Yorkshire’s finest heathland courses – staged the first-ever Ryder Cup held in the UK back in 1929

English Amateurs head to Moortown

ENGLAND Golf’s inaugural mixed-gender event follows on from the staging of the 2020 English Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championships.

They were held simultaneously at Woodhall Spa – England Golf’s HQ – for the first time earlier this year.

Both championships will continue to be staged side by side in 2021 as a joint celebration of amateur golf in England.

Headingley and Moortown in Leeds will co-host the 2021 English Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championships between July 27 and August 1.

Moortown last hosted the championship back in 1994 when the format saw 256 players enter a straight knockout with 16 seeded players.

Worksop’s Mark Foster, who went on to win on the European Tour, claimed the first of his two back-to-back championships, beating Alan Johnson in the final, before his successful defence at Hunstanton 12 months later when he beat Sam Jarman.

The use of two venues for the English Amateur was introduced in 2009 when Middlesex’s Luke Goddard beat Surrey’s Farren Keenan in the final at Rye, with Littlestone used as the second qualifying course.

But clubs like Woburn (2011), Frilford Heath (2013), Saunton (2014), The Berkshire (2017) and Woodhall Spa (2020) have two courses capapable of hosting the large championship field during the 36-hole qualifier.\

Moortown also hosted the English Amateur in 1980 when Peter Deeble claimed the crown, and Sir Michael Bonallack famously beat Michael Lunt there in the 1962 final.

The Leeds club first hosted the championship in 1938 when Frank Pennink successfully defended the title he won at Saunton a year earlier.

In 1929, Moortown hosted the first Ryder Cup to be held on UK soil which Great Britain and Ireland won 7-5.

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THE LET’s Meghan MacLaren has backed ground-breaking plans to stage the English Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championships simultaneously at Woodhall Spa in July.

The 25-year-old, who came through the England ranks as an amateur, has called for greater equality in prize money in the pro ranks.

She believes England Golf’s plan is another innovative step forward for golf.

McLaren went close to the first European Tour event that saw LET players compete head to head with Challenge and Staysure Tour members just over a year ago in the Jordan Mixed Open.

Dutchman Daan Huizing with the Jordan Mixed Open trophy. Picture by TRISTAN JONES

Having won the Women’s New South Wales Open for the second year in a row in March 2019, she finished second behind Daan Huizing, the winner of the St Andrews Links and Lytham Trophy as an amateur, in 2012, a month later.

Golf Foundation ambassador McLaren became the latest golfer to give up time to impart her knowledge of the game to England Golf’s national squads via an online Q&A session.

MacLaren looked back fondly on her amateur career with England and her time at Florida International University, where she won eight times.

In 2016, MacLaren was crowned European champion with England’s women’s amateur team  – the same year she helped GB&I to win the Curtis Cup.

MacLaren won LET Access Series

Meghan earned her tour card on the Ladies European Tour after winning the LET Access Series Order of Merit in 2017, having also won the last event of the 2016 season having turned pro in the autumn.

As a pro, MacLaren has won twice on the LET and has earned praise for her thought-provoking blogs about life on tour and her championing of the women’s game.

England Golf’s announcement last week that the staging of both the men’s and women’s amateur championship had been provisionally re-scheduled for the last week in July at the same venue has created a buzz.

MacLaren has been a strong advocate of equality in the game and hopes the coronavirus situation has eased by then to allow the events to take place side-by-side as planned.

“It might only be because of circumstances, but it’s a brilliant opportunity to see how it works going forward,” admitted the Wellingboro GC member, whose father is head of the Staysure Tour.

“There are a couple of events like that on the pro circuit – the Vic Open in Australia is the main one. It’s two separate events for men and women, but staged at the same time.

“I think it’s cool that it could be considered normal,” said Meghan, who has been brought up in a golfing family that cares passionately about the game at all levels.

“Men’s and women’s golf is different, but it doesn’t have to be different in terms of opportunities or prize funds at the pro level, or levels of talent.

“It’s just golf being played by different genders – and the earlier that becomes normal the better it is for the game as a whole,” she added.

Wellingboro Golf Club’s Meghan MacLaren – 2019 New South Wales Open champion after successfully defending her title. Picture by TRISTAN JONES

Curtis Cup winner opens up about life on tour

MacLAREN’S talk with the class of 2020 provided more than an hour’s worth of insight into her career, her development and her hopes for the future.

As with previous guests, Matt Wallace and Matt Fitzpatrick, the questions flooded in and MacLaren was only too happy to give a little back to the organisation that gave her so much in her amateur career.

The former Wee Wonders winner added: “All the squads are in great hands with the coaches at their disposal.

“But sometimes it’s different to hear things from a player who has previously been in squads.

“A player might go through the emotion of not being picked for a team – or not knowing if they are good enough to get on tour – or not knowing how they stand in relation to the best players in the world.

“It can even be something as simple as being told it’s ok not to practice for a couple of days if you’re working on mental or physical things.

“Now this seems to me like common sense, but when I look back there was a lot that I didn’t know.

“I questioned a lot of things, but I didn’t really know where to find the answers.”

Wee Wonders ace still keeps tabs on amateur game

MacLaren still keeps tabs on the amateur game and in January caught up with Yorkshire’s Charlotte Heath in Australia.

Heath had qualified for the Vic Open after winning the Australian Women’s Amateur, and the English contingent of Felicity Johnson, from the Midlands, Hertfordshire’s Hannah Burke, MacLaren and Heath enjoyed a rare photo opportunity.

“We were all on the putting green one day and it was cool to see different groups from England Golf coming together at an event like that,” said MacLaren.

“Charlotte did really well – I think out of the four of us she was the only one that made the cut. We had to learn from her.

“I still look at the amateur ranks and while I don’t know someone like Lily May Humphreys, I’ve seen how successful she has been and it’s intriguing for me to see what happens next.

“I loved my England days and still miss the input of being in a team environment – talking to coaches, players and practising together.

“You gain a lot from that and you only realise how much when it’s not there.”

• Masters Champion Danny Willett, the 2017 European No. 1 Tommy Fleetwood, Ryder Cup player Chris Wood and Solheim Cup stars Mel Reid and Bronte Law have all volunteered to pass on their wit, wisdom and experience to England squad members in online webinars over the coming weeks.

R-L: Ex-England amateurs Felicity Johnson, Hannah Burke, Meghan MacLaren and Australian Women’s Amateur winner Charlotte Heath, from Yorkshire, at the Vic Open in February

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In the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, England Golf has today announced a number of key decisions relating to all of our championships and wider golfing activities.

• All championship and performance events have been postponed until 7 June.
• With the health and wellbeing of all golfers, staff and volunteers paramount in our thinking, we have issued a comprehensive guidance document to clubs and golfers on how best to proceed in these unprecedented times
• England Golf’s AGM and national participation events scheduled for the spring have been postponed
• New working practices for staff have been adopted to ensure we remain fully operational and available to assist counties, clubs and golfers in the weeks and months ahead

For full details on all these important announcements please click below:

Championships and Performance

Guidance for Golf Clubs and Golfers

Event Postponements and How to contact England Golf

These remain extremely difficult and unprecedented times for the game of golf as well as the country in general.

England Golf remains committed to helping our golfing community adapt to the necessary changes and for golfers to continue to play the game in a safe environment and according to government and public health guidelines.

The pace of change and the constant updating of government and medical advice means that a continual process of re-assessment of decisions and guidelines must be undertaken.

England Golf will continue to communicate any changes through our website, social platforms and via direct correspondence to our affiliated counties, clubs and golfers.

It is vital that everyone continues to follow best practice when it comes to dealing with the current outbreak of coronavirus.

For expert medical advice please refer to the following websites:

World Health Organisation: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

Public Health England: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/public-health-england

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England Golf Statement Regarding Coronavirus

England Golf  – in light of the developing situation with the COVID-19 outbreak – has today issued the following guidance to all our affiliated golf clubs and golfers.

We fully recognise the need to adhere to the expert advice available and as such we would point all our clubs in the direction of the guidelines set out in detail by Public Health England via their website.

Details on how best to cope with the virus can also be found via the World Health Organisation website which will provide rolling updates and the best ways to mitigate against the spread of the infection.

NHS England also provide updated and expert advice via their website.

All golf clubs should note, act upon and continually monitor the advice and guidance issued by these expert authorities in relation to the current coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

It is important that we all work together, following the advice of qualified professionals, in controlling the spread of COVID-19.

This remains a very fluid situation and England Golf will continue to take their lead from the government and public health authorities when it comes to safeguarding our clubs and members and offering practical and necessary steps to ensure the health and wellbeing of golfers and golf club staff.

England Golf chief executive Jeremy Tomlinson said: “The expert practical advice that is available from the health authorities and national government should remain the first point of reference for all our golf clubs and golfers.

“This is clearly a fluid and developing situation and we will continue to monitor events as they progress and pass on the relevant information to our stakeholders.

“By working in alignment with those who are specialists in this field, we will be able to take the necessary precautions and provide the correct measures to deal with the COVID-19 outbreak.”

Where do you want to go next?

• Scottish Golf statement
• Wales Golf statement
• Golfing Union of Ireland statement

More information

• NHS website
• Public Health Service

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David Hague (left) with Chris Garrity, general manager of the host club and Saud Al Sharif, the low amateur in the MENA Tour’s Royal Golf Club Bahrain Open

ALL the days of self-doubting are over for Yorkshire’s David Hague as he put together a brilliant back nine to secure his maiden professional win at the Royal Golf Club Bahrain Open – in only his fourth start in the paid ranks.

The 24-year-old, from Malton and Norton Golf Club, who rose to No. 76 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking before turning pro in January, shot a one-under par 71 on another windy day.

Hague’s nine-under par total after 54 holes proved to be one better than France’s former European Tour star Victor Riu, who shot 70, and earned the former England Amateur international the first prize of $13,500.

“This is amazing and very satisfying,” said David Hague. “I have been thinking of turning professional for more than a year now – and always had my doubts about it.

“I felt I was on a good run when I played the MENA Tour Qualifying School, and thought it was a good time to make the decision. This win definitely validates it,” added Hague.

“I drove consistently well this whole week and that really was the key to my winning. I struggled with my putter from inside six feet and made several three-putts – something I need to work on.

“When I was trailing at the turn, I knew I needed to be patient because the back nine of this golf course has been pretty good to me.

“And yes, that birdie on the 15^th was a key moment for me.”

Hague, who finished runner-up at the NewGiza Open in Cairo, earlier this month, started the final round as leader by one shot.

But last year’s Lee Westwood Trophy winner was trailing at the turn after making a double bogey on the seventh hole.

An eagle on the par-five ninth hole, saw Surrey-based Ryan Lumsden, who qualified to play as an amateur in the US Open at Shinnecock Hills, in 2018, surge ahead.

At that stage, Hague was seven-under with the Royal Wimbledon player – who studied at Chicago’s Northwestern University, the same college NCAA champion Luke Donald attended – playing a group ahead.

But the champion made three birdies on the back nine as against a solitary bogey on the 12^th hole, including a crucial one on the par-four 15^th hole, which was playing very tough into the headwind.

It was a two-shot swing against both Scottish amateur international Lumsden and Riu, his closest rivals, who dropped shots on the same hole with the Scot carding a 71.

Fellow Scot Callum Fyfe (70) joined Lumsden in a tie for third at seven-under, alongside Hague’s former Yorkshire team-mate Ben Hutchinson (67) and Sweden’s European Tour player Henric Sturehed (68).

The latter two returned the best cards on a day when players had to battle through occasional drizzle and steady high wind at the Colin Montgomerie-designed Royal Golf Club.

Saud Al Sharif had to settle for the low amateur prize after a final round 81 sent him tumbling down the leaderbaord at the Royal Golf Club Bahrain Open

Al Sharif: I’ll learn from experience

SAUD Al Sharif could not replicate the stunning performance from the second round.

The member of the Saudi national team and host club slipped down the leaderboard with an 81 in his first experience of playing in the leading group in a pro event.

However, his two-over par total was still good enough to win him the low amateur prize.

Al Sharif was disappointed with his round, but not disheartened with his effort.

“It was a tough day on the golf course, but I wanted to do better than what I did,” said the 19-year-old who finished in a share of 18th place.

“However, this is my first time in a situation like this and I am sure I have learned a lot on how to handle things in the future.

“This experience will make me a better player,” added Al Sharif.

The MENA Tour travels to Aqaba, Jordan, for the $75,000 Journey to Jordan No. 2 next week.

•For final results in the Bahrain Open click here.

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Clockwise (top left): Lily May Humphreys, from Essex, Cornwall’s Emily Toy, Charlotte Heath, from Yorkshire, and Somerset’s Mimi Rhodes, who make up the England Women’s squad

THE national selectors have named the players who will make up a much smaller England Women’s Squad for 2020, alongside announcing the make-up of the Girls’ group.

Next week, England Women’s overseas squad – comprising of players based abroad and completing studies – will be named.

Whitley Bay’s Rosie Belsham has been picked for the England Girls squad for 2020 alongside Northumbria team-mates Jess Baker and Rachel Gourley. Picture by LEADERBOARD PHOTOGRAPHY

Girls’ squad
Jess Baker (17) – Gosforth Park Ladies GC, Northumberland
Rafiah Banday (16) – Royal Mid Surrey GC, Surrey
Rosie Belsham (18) – Whitley Bay GC, Northumberland
Rachel Gourley (15) – Arcot Hall GC, Northumberland
Ellie Gower (17) –  based in America
Caitlin Whitehead (17) – Carus Green GC, Cumbria
Lottie Woad (16) – Farnham GC, Surrey

Berkhamsted’s Alice Hewson who was crowned European Ladies Amateur Champion in 2019 is now plying her trade as a professional after earning her LET card at Q-School last month. Picture by LEADERBOARD PHOTOGRAPY

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Charlotte Heath is the first English golfer to win the Australian Women’s Amateur Championship since Julie Wade back in 1995. Picture by GOLF AUSTRALIA

CHARLOTTE Heath became just the fifth British player to ever win the third oldest women’s amateur championship in the world at the weekend.

The 18-year-old England international swept away the challenge of Indonesia’s Mela Putri to claim a stunning victory in the Australian Women’s Amateur Championship.

The Yorkshire schoolgirl was too strong for her 22-year-old rival and claimed a majestic 7&6 victory in the 36-hole final at the Royal Queensland Golf Club.

Heath became the first winner from British shores in 24 years and just the fifth to win the Australian Women’s title in it’s 127-year history.

The last was Julie Hall from Felixstowe, who won in Oz in 1995, having won her second Women’s Amateur Championship in the same year, after her first victory in 1990.

The Australian is actually the 10th oldest championship in the world including men’s opens at professional and amateur level.

Heath – a member at Huddersfield Golf Club – got off to a fast start and was three-up after five holes.

Heath’s lead was a commanding eight holes by the completion of the first 18 holes.

The 18-year-old then tightened her grip in the afternoon by holing her approach to the third hole from 180 yards for an eagle – taking her lead to 10 holes.

Putri fought back to win four of the next five and threaten a comeback. But Heath held her nerve to hole a par putt on the 12^th and claim the title with six holes to spare.

After the win, Charlotte Heath told Golf Australia: “It was a bit stressful and I was super nervous to start.

“I got off to a quick start and then in the second 18 she started playing really good and it was tense.

“I made two bogeys and she made two birdies and I dropped a few. But I kept my head and kept going.”

The Yorkshire county player has been a frequent visitor to the winners’ circle over the past 12 months, winning the Sir Henry Cooper Junior Masters at Nizels GC, in June, and the Pleasington Putter.

But the win Down Under is by far the most significant of the former England junior international’s young career.

Victory will catapult her up the world rankings from her current position of 226nd.

Heath said describing the moment she hovered over the matchwinning putt: “I was just like ‘hole it’ – it was for a half anyway so if I missed it – and it went six feet past. It didn’t really matter.”

Heath will now be invited to two LPGA events – the Victoria Open and Women’s Australian Open.

But before that Charlotte has some pleading to do with her teachers back at home.

“I’ve never played in LPGA event – hopefully I can get time off school,” said a smiling Heath.

The English star qualified for the matchplay event by finishing in a tie for 17^th in the strokeplay.

Rounds of 71 and 74 left Charlotte Heath somewhat under the radar going into the knockout stages.

But while Cornwall’s Women’s Amateur Champion Emily Toy – the top seed after winning the strokeplay – unfortunately fell at the first hurdle to eventual finalist Putri, Heath got up a head of steam as the week wore on.

A 4&2 win over Australia’s Fiona Xu earned Heath a place in the last 16 where another local hero – Charley Jacobs – was brushed aside by the same score.

On Saturday, a third Aussie was put to the sword in the quarter-finals when Heath triumphed over the much-fancied Lian Higo booking her place in the last four with a 3&2 winning margin.

South Korea’s Minju Kim was next up, but with Heath’s confidence rapidly rising the English women’s international notched another impressive 3&2 win to reach the final.

Then came the crowning glory with Heath thoroughly deserving of her plaudits.

Heath’s name joins the following Brits on the trophy:
•1995 Julie Hall (Felixstowe Ferry) – played in five Curtis Cups
•1955 Miss Veronica Anstey (later Beharrell) Edgbaston GC
•1935 Miss J B Walker (The Berkshire) Won the Irish Ladies Amateur in 1930
•1905 Miss M Backhouse

•To see how Charlotte Heath got to the final click here for the full matchplay results and for the strokeplay qualifying scores click here.

Jones and Strickland knocked out in semi-finals of Australian Amateur

Northamptonshire County’s Ben Jones was knocked out in the semi-finals of the Australian Amateur Championship, losing to Ireland’s Tom McKibbin, who lost in the final.
Picture LEADERBOARD PHOTOGRAPHY

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE County’s Ben Jones joined Sussex’s Charlie Strickland and Northumberland’s Matty Lamb in the matchplay stages of the Australian Amateur Championship.

Lamb, from Hexham, a member of the victorious Home Internatinals team in September, had his run halted to the last eight by Australia’s Louis Dobbelaar, in the third round.

However, Jones, the losing finalist in last summer’s Amateur Championship and Ham Manor’s Strickland battled through to the semi-finals.

But with an all-English final beckoning – which would have created some unparalled history at an overseas championship – they were both knocked out.

Jones’ match with Northern Ireland’s Tom McKibbin was nip and tuck all the way with the man from Holywood edging it by a single hole.

Australia’s Jediah Morgan – who went on to win the event – had too much in the tank for Strickland, who lost 5&3.

Strickland is one of nine players in the England Men’s squad for 2020. The former England Boys cap, who missed most of 2018 after being diagnosed with epilepsy, claimed the Selborne Salver, at Blackmoor GC, last April.

Rotherham’s Ben Schmidt – who claimed the English Men’s and Boys Amateur Strokeplay double last year – was one of eight England players in the 198-strong field that failed to make it through to the last 64.

The youngest-ever winner of the Brabazon and the youngest to win the Carris in the same season at just 16 – to break Sandy Lyle’s 42-year-old record – missed out by four shots after an opening 80 on the Brisbane Course.

The Australian Amateur is the ninth oldest golf championship in the world and has only been won by two Englishmen in its 127-year history – the MP Michael Scott won it three times in four years from 1905-8.

Middlesex’s Warren Bennett, from Ruislip GC, won the title in 1994, at Royal Sydney GC – the same year he claimed the Lytham Trophy and represented Great Britain & Ireland in the Eisenhower Trophy at the World Amateur Team Championship, at Versailles, in France.

•For full strokeplay scores in the Australian Amateur click here and to see the matchplay results click here.

Corhampton’s Scott Gregory – winner of the 2017 New South Wales Amateur. Picture by ANTHONY POWTER

Can England match Gregory and Petrozzi’s success in New South Wales Amateur?

THE seven-strong England squad (five men and two women) move on from Royal Queensland to play in the New South Wales’ Amateur being held jointly at St Michael’s Golf Club and the Coast Golf Club in Little Bay.

England have a great record in the NSW Amateur, with Hampshire’s Scott Gregory winning in 2017, beating Sussex’s Marco Penge in an all-English 36-hole final.

Staffordshire’s Gian-Marco Petrozzi kept the trophy in English hands a year later while Formby’s Paul Howard (2015), Jack Senior (2011) and Gary Wolstenholme (2007) have all taken the title in the 21st Century.

Michael Scott MP was England’s first – and only – back-to-back winner in 1909 and 1910.

Their Australian adventure ends with the Avondale Amateur at Avondale Golf Club from January 28-31.

•Follow live scores in the New South Wales Open by clicking here.

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Branden Grace with the South African Open trophy after his stunning 62 – matching the lowest-ever round in Major Championship he produed at Royal Birkdale three years ago. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

BRANDEN Grace produced a masterful putting display in a closing 62 in his national open to complete the South African Slam at Randpark Golf Club.

Grace’s ninth European Tour victory in the South African Open was his first since his Rolex Series triumph at the 2017 Nedbank Golf.

The win sees him complete the “South African Slam” after winning the Joburg Open, Alfred Dunhill Championship and Dimension Data Pro-Am.

The home duo could not be separated at the turn as they put on a stunning show, with Oosthuizen sending the huge crowds at Johannesburg’s Randpark into raptures with a hole-in-one at the eighth.

But Grace put his foot down on the way home, taking his tally of putts to just 22 as he finished at 21-under, three shots clear of Oosthuizen.

The victory secured Grace a place at this summer’s Open Championship, where he will be joined by fellow qualifiers Marcus Armitage and Jaco Ahlers.

Yorkshire-based pro Armitage birdied the last to finish at 16-under and secure his spot at Royal St George’s Golf Club, with home favourite Ahlers a shot behind alongside Jack Senior, who was edged out for The Open spot by virtue of being eight places lower than Ahlers on the Official World Golf Ranking.

Grace finished 113th on last season’s Race to Dubai after being in the top 10 for four of the previous seven seasons.

But he showed a return to form at last month’s Alfred Dunhill Championship with a tie for third.

“That was remarkable,” said Grace. “I played flawless golf and I can’t remember the last time the putter was that hot.

“This is the one I really wanted. This means so much to any South African, winning on home soil, the guys get so behind you and it’s such an emotional feeling.

“It’s the first win with the little one here so he’s going to have a photo with the trophy and then it’s a good birthday wish to my Mrs today, she’s a birthday girl today so it’s a good birthday present.”

Grace bogeyed the second but hit back brilliantly, making a gain on the third, before eagling the fourth from 25 feet.

The first player to shoot 62 in a Major at Royal Birkdale in the The 2017 Open, made another birdie on the fifth.

The 31-year-old was in a tie for the lead when Armitage three-putted the sixth.

And Grace hit the front with a 15-foot right-to-left putt on the seventh.

An excellent up-and-down at the eighth kept him in front, but Branden was soon leapfrogged by Oosthuizen as the 2010 Open Champion produced the shot of the week.

After seven straight pars, his tee shot looked to be heading right and towards the water.

But it took a big hop left off the fringe and rolled into the cup for an ace.

Grace responded with a 25-foot birdie on the ninth and he edged back in front on his own after a stunning recovery from the rough on the 11th.

Armitage just loves Randpark – here’s why

A wonderful approach brought Oosthuizen level on the same hole but Grace found another gear.

He sandwiched a birdie from 12 feet on the 13th with a birdie four at the 12th and a three at the 14th to open up a three-shot lead to complete his South African Slam.

Armitage’s birdie on the last for a 69, then saw his 11-under total matched by Ahlers, while Senior went two better.

But the Fleetwood GC member missed out on a spot at The 148^th Open by virtue of being spots lower on the Official World Golf Rankings.

•To see the final scores at the South African Open hosted by the City of Johannesburg click here.

The post Grace completes the South African Slam after shooting 62 to win Open at Randpark appeared first on Golf North.

Marcus Armitage gets his pin flag and bag tag from deputy chairman of The R&A Open Championships committee Anne O’Sullivan. Picture by The R&A

MARCUS Armitage thanked his partner Lucy after sealing his place at this summer’s 148th Open Championship Royal St George’s Golf Club.

The Yorkshire pro birdied the last at the South African Open to seal solo third at Randpark Golf Club – and punch his ticket for the oldest Major Championship after walking off the green with his head held high.

Armitage will be joined at Sandwich by tournament winner Branden Grace and South African Jaco Ahlers – who finished a shot behind Armitage.

The 32-year-old from Huddersfield revealed in the European Tour’s latest Player Blog how 2019 had been a tough year for him and Lucy.

He relied on credit cards while earning less than 15,000 euros in European Challenge Tour prize money after buying a house.

That third place finish not only secured him a place at The Open – but also pocketed him more time five times last season’s winnings.

A clearly emotional Armitage – who played his way on to the European Challenge Tour with three wins on the PGA Europro Tour between 2013 and 2015 – was quick to pay tribute to the love of his life.

“It’s hard for her,” said Armitage, who only finished 89th on the Road to Mallorca in 2019.

“She’s working – we’ve got a house and we just don’t get the quality time. This one’s for Lucy.

“I can tell Lucy that she doesn’t have to do any nails that week. she can book it off and we can go and enjoy The Open.

And even though he has just one Challenge Tour victory to his name – after his win in the 2016 Foshan Open – Armitage is not intending to make up the numbers on the Kent coast.

“I’m looking to win it,” said the Salford-born pro whose win in China earned him his rookie season on the 2018 European Tour.

“It’s the best championship on the planet for me, it’s everything.

Marcus Armitage made a birdie three at the last at Randpark to qualify for the 2020 Open Championship at Royal St George’s. Picture by GETTY IMAGES00

“That is the dream. People say to you, ‘you’re on the European Tour, you’re living the dream’. No – the dream is when I’ve got a Claret Jug in my pocket and I’m off to find the other three.”

Armitage probably wishes he could play Randpark every week.

The Howley Hall member finished fifth – his best European Tour finish of his career before Sunday – in the 2018 Joburg Open, which was played in December 2017.

And after making his way through the European Tour Qualifying School (ETQS) at Lumine, in Spain, in November, the 2016 Foshan Open winner could not have made a better start to the season.

The prize cheque of €82,063 will ensure that when the ETQS category is reranked for the first time later in the season, he will be among the top earners – giving him a better chance of some starts in the bigger events.

Armitage was certainly a very relieved man after that three on the 18th lifted ahead of Lancastrian Jack Senior, who saw his Open dream dashed.

“Where I was a few months ago, I was off the cliff,” added Armtage. “I’ve turned it around.

“A few people have given me a few keys to change my life and that’s proof you can do it, you can do it in months.

“I’m a product of the hard work I’ve put in,” said the Lancashire lad who lost his mum Jean to cancer when he was 13 – he took up golf to cope with his grief, playing at Oldham Golf Club, before moving to Huddersfield, when he was 18.

It will be Armitage’s second time in the field for The Open after he qualified in 2018. But his chances of contending at Carnoustie were hampered by a freak injury suffered the week before he travelled to Scotland.

The Qualifying School graduate went indoor skydiving and dislocated his shoulder 10 days before he was set to hit his opening tee shot at Carnoustie on Thursday.

Despite being advised not to play, Armitage was determined to play – even though, not surprisingly, he did not make the weekend.

“It was quite pointless really because I’ve already done a tandem skydive from 12,000 feet” added Marcus, “so I don’t know why I went in a wind tunnel,” writing in his blog this week.

“I ripped my shoulder clean out of the socket and it was out for two hours.

“I went to see Poora Singh, one of the physios on the Challenge Tour, and he said, ‘you’re not playing in The Open next week’ and I responded, ‘yes I am, you watch me. I’ll go with half a swing’.

“And that’s exactly what I did. I played The Open with half a swing and missed the cut. I shot 69 on the second day with half a swing. I was gutted.”

Armitage – known as The Bullet – now has a second bite of the cherry and could not hide his delight after walking off the 18th.

“I knew if I birdied I’d be undoubtedly in next week and in The Open so it was some buzz to hole that putt,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to pegging it up against the players that I want to be pegging it up against every week and being in that environment of The Open.

“It’s just another opportunity to go in there and showcase my talents,” added Armitage.

South African Open winner Branden Grace shot the first ever 62 in the 2017 Open at Royal Birkdale and his now heading to Royal St George’s after his victory at Randpark GC. Picture by THE R&A

Grace is happy to be heading to Sandwich

BRANDEN Grace will be playing in his 10th Open with a previous best finish of sixth in 2017 – when the South African made history by shooting the first 62 in a Major Championship at Royal Birkdale.

“I’ve got great memories there from the 62,” said Grace. “I was a little bit sour at the end of last year not knowing I’d secured my spot.

“But after this week, knowing I’ve done it, it’s a great highlight so far and something great to look forward to.

“It’s a dream and if you ask me which Major I think I would win, it’s probably that one. It suits me the most,” added Grace, who has a penetrating low ball flight.

“I played in my first Amateur Championship at Royal St George’s. It didn’t treat me too well, but it’s a great golf course.

“It’s a ball-striker’s golf course, you have to be on top of your game.

“Any Open you play, you have to be on top of your game but I am just stoked to go back – and what a day it has been.”

Ahlers qualified to play in his second Open, 11 years after making it through international qualifying only to miss the cut – at Turnberry, where Stewart Cink prevented Tom Watson from rewriting Open history as the oldest winner of the Claret Jug.

“I’m excited,” said Ahlers. “I haven’t done it in 11 years so I’m really looking forward to it.

“I play the Alfred Dunhill Links every year and I just really love links golf.

“What I hear from St George’s is it’s a pretty tough golf course, so I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

•For the final results in the South African Open hosted by the City of Johannesburg, click here.

The post Armitage won’t be relying on Shanks’ pony after pocketing a place in Open at Sandwich appeared first on Golf North.

BENJAMIN Poke

Benjamin Poke’s six-shot victory at the 2019 European Tour Qualifying School was one of the biggest in recent history. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

completed an emphatic six-stroke victory at the final stage of the European Tour Qualifying School, running away with the title as 28 players European Tour cards for 2020.

The Dane, who led from the second round at Lumine Golf Club, was in complete control throughout the marathon test.

He broke 70 each day to post rounds of 67, 67, 69, 67, 69 and 64 and seal victory ahead of three-time European Tour winner Grégory Havret, who came second on 19-under.

Poke, who finished 29th on the Challenge Tour’s Road to Mallorca in his rookie season, said: “To play on the European Tour is something that you always dream about when you are young. So to finally stand here with my card is unbelievable.

“I know that when I get it going I can shoot really low and that I’m playing well, but I was still really nervous going out there this morning.

“I kept trusting my game and trusted my swing and my game plan. I never relaxed though, because I know that anything can happen in this game, so it was a matter of just taking things one shot at a time.

“Some weeks on the Challenge Tour this year, I gave myself a good shot at lifting a title and unfortunately got beaten. But they were good weeks and good performances.

“Before this week I knew I had developed my game a lot since last year,” added Poke.

“I was happy to reach the Road to Mallorca Grand Final and I was thinking that anything I managed to do this week was a bit of a bonus.

“I managed to keep that mentality all week and not get too far ahead of myself – just focus on the day in hand.

“I’m planning to celebrate this moment for a while. You work so hard and then there are times when you are struggling and it’s not easy.

“But you’ve got to get up and carry on and celebrate the good times when they happen,” said Poke, who has graduated at the third attempt at Qualifying School.

The 27-year-old will be joined on the top tier by 18-year-old countryman Rasmus Højgaard, who overcame an opening-round 74 to finish in a share of fifth place on 16-under.

Højgaard, whose twin brother Nicolai finished in 51st place, said: “It feels amazing to have my European Tour card. It’s been such a long week to get it done feels very special.”

But despite his own success, as a typical twin, his thoughts were for Nicolai, having played in the Junior Ryder Cup together in 2018, they will not be on Tour together in 2020.

Rasmus said: “I kind of knew once Nicolai was on the back nine that he wasn’t going to get his card.

“It’s sad that he isn’t going to get his card and that we won’t be together on the European Tour next year but that’s just how it is sometimes.

“I can play good for a few weeks and then he can come in with a good few weeks. It’s different almost every week and that is how golf is sometimes.

“When I hit my tee shot on 17 then I knew that I was going to be OK and I just relaxed a little, and thought ‘I’ve got this now’ and to get a good drive away on the 18th was huge.”

It was a good day for the English as Somerset’s Laurie Canter finished sixth, 2013 Amateur Champion Garrick Porteous 12 14th, and EuroPro Tour graduates Marcus Armitage and David Coupland finished 16th and 21st respectively, while Sussex’s Toby Tree was in 24th spot

Essex’s Dale Whitnell, who finally broke his duck on the European Challenage Tour after a decade of trying by wining the KPMG Trophy two months ago, grabbed the last card in a share of 25th after making a birdie at the last.

But none of the five Scots who made the 72-hole cut could earn a card.

Europro Tour winner Daniel Young missed out by a shot despite finishing biride, birdie, while Craig Howie was 34th.

Three-time European Tour winner Marc Warren was 53rd while Ewen Ferguson was after a level-par sixth round ended his hopes of a late run.

Amateur Championship finalist Euan Walker, who turned pro after playing agianst the USA in the Walker Cup, at Royal Liverpool, in September, finished in 59th – his opening 67 was his only sub-70 round of the week.

All five Scots will be playing on the Challenge Tour in 2020 after earning full playing rights on the satellite tour.

Kim grabs card after thrilling 63

THE promise of a thrilling conclusion to the Final Stage of the European Tour Qualifying School was fulfilled again on the Lakes Course, as American Sihwan Kim carded an eight-under par final round of 63 to jump 38 places.

The 30-year-old who finished the tournament with a European Tour card in hand, as he cemented a share of 17^th place.

Kim, the 2004 US Junior Champion, who was making his fifth visit to European Tour Qualifying School, said: “I knew I had to post a number.

“So I just went out there really aggressive, took the right lines and just swung at it.

“I’ve been in Europe for a while now, since 2012, so this is nothing new to me. I’m pretty tired but pretty happy about the score I posted.

“I knew what I had to do and I knew I had to post a really good number today so I just went out there and did it,” added Kim, who finished 133rd on the Race to Dubai, forcing his trip to Spain.

Kim’s fellow American Johannes Veerman also completed an impressive turnaround at the death.

After opening the week with a pair of 74s, the 27-year-old came storming back to close with rounds of 67, 67, and two 66s, to end the tournament on 14-under – booking his ticket to the European Tour with a tied 13^th place finish.

The greatest excitement was delivered by Rikard Karlberg, who holed a 50-foot putt on the 108^th and final hole to finish in a tie for 25^th place, picking up the last available European Tour card.

The emphatic end to the gruelling tournament completed an emotional comeback for the Swede, who returned to professional golf in 2019 following a battle with a serious infection and depression.

Karlberg said: “I hit my second shot a bit further away from the pin than I wanted and had around 50 feet for birdie.

“I had a feeling all day that the number would be 12-under, so I knew I needed to hole it.

“When I hit it, I thought it should be good and then I saw it was tracing the line perfectly – and saw the speed – and thought ‘come on, just reach’.

“The euphoria I felt was just happiness. I don’t think anyone really likes this week. It’s horrible,” Karlberg added.

“It’s pressure all week and you’re walking with tension and you don’t have much room for error.

“This week has been so frustrating with my putter. I missed so many putts and then to be able to hole that one when I needed, it just feels fantastic.

“I think I am a better golfer now than I was then. I’ve played a few years on Tour, and I’ve learned about the pressure and I’ve learned that you need to hit the shots – even if you’re nervous.”

French quartet graduate at Qualifying School

THE French quartet of Havret, Jean-Baptiste Gonnet, Adrien Saddier and Robin Sciot-Siegrist all booked their tickets – equalling the record for the number of French players to graduate from Qualifying School.

Havret, who was runner-up to Graeme McDowell at the 2010 US Open, said: “I’ve missed the European Tour since last year.

“And even though I had a great time playing on the Challenge Tour this season it was make-or-break for me this week in terms of my career.

“So it’s a big relief to secure my card this week,” said the three-time European Tour winner, who dedicated the promotion to his wife.

“Our wives, so much of the time, are the most important people around us and that’s certainly the case for me.

“She wants me to go out there and live my passion as best I can, and she has always supported me with that, so this achievement is for her.

‘’I’m turning 43 on Monday so I don’t have too long left in my caree,” Havret added.

“But I’m going to take the positives from this week and come back out on the Tour a little bit fresher – and enjoy being back in the company of my friends on the European Tour.”

Welshman Bradley Dredge, who has two wins on the European Tour, retained his playing rights after finishing 122nd on the Race to Dubai.

The 46-year-old finished in 20th place after finishing under par on all six days – a feat achieved by just eight players in the field.

The 2019 European Tour Qualifying School was contested over 252 holes in three stages across 14 different venues.

A record number of 1,063 entrants bid for one of the coveted European Tour cards, surpassing the previous record of 1,026 from 2017.

•For final results at the 2019 European Tour Qualiyfing School click here.

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