European Tour player Matthew Jordan passed on tips to amateurs in the England national squads – he was a member three years ago. Picture by LEADERBOARD PHOTOGRAPHY

MATTHEW Jordan watched Tiger Wood and Rory McIlroy win The Open at his home course at Hoylake in the space of eight years.

But he had no notion he would one day join the World No. 1 on the European Tour.

Even 18 short months ago, Jordan could not be sure he would ever make it as a pro golfer.

Now he’s settling in alongside the big guns during his rookie season on Tour and has the world at his feet.

Jordan’s story is truly inspirational and his telling of it proved to be fascinating for the England Golf squad players, who logged in for an online Q&A session.

As a young amateur, Jordan was a slow-burner, making his way steadily rather than spectacularly through the boys’ squads.

Then his game clicked with victories in the St Andrews Links Trophy and Lytham Trophy.

That earned him a place in Great Britain and Ireland’s 2017 Walker Cup team alongside Hampshire’s two Amateur Champions – Harry Ellis, Scott Gregory – and Jack Singh-Brar, who is also on the European Tour.

A year later Jordan turned pro – but with many questions about his suitability for the pro game still unanswered.

Yet a true competitive edge shaped in the England Golf squads soon shone through.

Matthew Jordan won the Hampshire Hog in 2016 at North Hants the home club of England Golf ambassasor Justin Rose. Picture by ANDREW GRIFFIN / AMG PICTURES

From North Hants to Challenge Tour

A COURSE record 63 in the first round of the British Masters at Hillside in May last year – after receiving an invite – brought his name to the fore.

Victory in a Challenge Tour Event in Italy in June lit a fire under him.

And it’s still burning brightly as he waits to make his way on the full tour when the European Tour resumes in late July.

During a relaxed chat with the current England squad players and coaches, Jordan talked about his rise in the game, his hopes for the future, his methods on the course – and his dedication to smart practice routines.

He also admitted his rise was something he didn’t think of as a kid – nor even dare to dream about as a young adult.

“It’s certainly been unexpected from where I was a little over a year ago,” admitted the 24-year-old member at Royal Liverpool GC.

“I didn’t even have Challenge Tour status and I was just trying to play where I could. It happened so quickly.

“I played eight events after I turned pro and hadn’t done very well. But at least I got some experience.

“The big one for me was a Challenge Tour event in Turkey. I shot 62 which was the lowest round I’d ever shot.

“I was in contention all week and then finished in the top 10.

“Then I played in the British Masters and shot nine-under on day one and the confidence built ahead of my win in Italy.

“It all snowballed very quickly.

“You don’t know that until you get there – there is a worry that the guys are on a different level and are loads better.

“I had watched great tour events featuring the top players on TV and then suddenly I’m walking into a venue and joining these guys on the range. It’s pretty cool.

“As a fan, that was big at the beginning. But I’m trying to do as well as possible and that soon loses its appeal.

“I want to focus, do well, stay on tour and achieve more.”

Matthew Jordan watched Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy win the Claret Jug in 2006 and 2014. The Open is due to return to Hoylake in 2023. Picture by The R&A

How Hoylake heroes inspired Matthew

GROWING up in Hoylake – the location of one of the world’s great links courses at Royal Liverpool – meant Jordan was spoiled for inspiration as a youngster.

As a 10-year-old he remembers being obsessed when Tiger Woods rolled into town in 2006.

Tiger put on a ball-striking masterclass to win back-to-back Open Championships – and his first away from St Andrews.

“I got Adam Scott’s ball on a practice round. And I got Phil Mickelson’s autograph and Sergio Garcia’s too,” said Jordan.

“I didn’t get Tiger’s – I just froze when he walked past and didn’t have the courage to ask. But it stands out.”

Then four years later it was McIlroy who claimed the Claret Jug – on a Hoylake course that had spent 40 years off The R&A’s Open rota.

“It does inspire you,” said the Cheshire county player, who was 18 at the time.

“In 2014, that same summer, I got my A-levels and a place into Uni. But my dad said I should defer and try golf for a year or two.

“I hadn’t thought about it. I thought I’d play the summer and do something else. Maybe study psychology.

“Then I tried it and still never had the thought of where I would end up.

“It was only when I started doing well that the thoughts changed.

“It was a blessing in disguise I didn’t go to Uni when I see what has happened since.”

His big breakthrough, ironically came when winning the Hampshire Hog at North Hants GC, in 2016 – the home club of England Golf ambassador Justin Rose.

Matthew Jordan won the St Andrews Links Trophy in 2017. Picture by KENNY SMITH

Valderrama victory Jordan’s highlight of lockdown

JORDAN has had to adapt during lockdown because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

But he has kept sharp – even winning a virtual event when top pros battled it out on online playing Valderrama in the European Tour BMW Indoor Invitational Series.

His next outing is the British Masters at Close House next month as his adventure continues.

“I was happy to chat with the England players as I enjoyed my time in the set-up working with great coaches and learning the game,” said Matthew.

“Hopefully, what I passed on and my story so far can help someone else make the same step.”

And of course when the Open returns to Hoylake in 2023, he has the chance to be part of the history of the Open Championship.

•Royal Liverpool was originally to host The Open in 2022 – before the 2020 and 2021 Opens were pushed back because of the coronavirus pandemic.

It will take place at Royal St George’s in 2021 a year later than planned, with the 150th Open being staged at the game’s historic home at St Andrews, in 2022.

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Hew Squirrell was a five-time winner of the Welsh Amateur and won both the Berkhamsted Trophy and the Hampshire Hog. Picture by ANDREW GRIFFIN / AMG PICTURES

HEW Squirrell – one of Wales’ and Hertfordshire’s most successful-ever amateur golfers – has passed away aged 87.

The Welsh international won five Welsh Amateur titles, represented his country in the Home Internationals 19 times between 1955 and 1975.

Squirrell was part of the first Wales team ever to beat England in 1961 and won a number of big competitions in the UK during his illustrious amateur career.

Hew, when asked about the victory over England back in 1961, said: “This was a big day for us, beating England for the first time, 12-3.

“Wales only narrowly lost to Ireland, we scored a record 23 points this year.”

Only Henry Howell heads Squirrell in Wales Golf’s history books with more Welsh Amateur titles – eight between 1920-32 while only Iestyn Tucker earned more Welsh caps in the Home International appearances with 25 between 1949-79.

Cardiff Golf Club member Squirrell also captained the Welsh Home International side three times – and was the first winner of the Berkhamsted Trophy in 1960.

Wales Golf chief’s praise for Hew

Wales Golf chief executive Richard Dixon said: “It is with great sadness we heard one of our most illustrious former internationals has passed away.

“Hew has a firm place in Welsh golfing history. It is remarkable to be second on the all-time lists both for representing Wales in the Home Internationals and winning the Welsh Amateur Championship.

“Given the changes to the game in the modern era it is extremely unlikely he will be overtaken in either listing.

“Wales struggled against the greater strength in-depth of the other nations in the early days of the Home Internationals.

“But Hew was part of a group of players who came through in the ’50s who made Wales competitive.

“Along with Tucker, George Duncan, Tony Duncan, Tudor Davies and others they turned round Welsh fortunes, including that first victory over England.”

The honorary member of Royal Porthcawl also won the French Amateur title.

Having come up through the ranks as a junior at Cardiff GC, Squirrell gained his first Wales cap in 1955.

After moving to England, he won the Hertfordshire County Championship twice in 1963 and 1973, while a member at Moor Park.

He was also the first-ever winner of the Hampshire Hog, at North Hants GC, which has been won by great amateurs including Sandy Lyle, Gary Wolstenholme, Surrey’s John Davies and Peter McEvoy.

Hew then joined Buckinghamshire’s Denham Golf Club, on the outskirts of London.

As well as winning the Welsh Amateur Championship three years in a row from 1958-60, and back-to-back in 1964 and 1965, Squirrell finished as runner-up twice in 1962 and 1971.

Jack Senior (left) winner of the 2011 Hampshire Hog at North Hants GC with the 1961 winner Hew Squirrel, a member at Denham GC. Picture by ANDREW GRIFFIN / AMG PICTURES

In recent years he returned to North Hants to present the Hampshire Hog trophy to winner Jack Senior in 2011.

That visit marked 50 years since the Welshman became the fifth winner, two years after international team-mate Tony Duncan, who was stationed in North Hampshire as an Army Colonel.

Hew’s son Daniel Squirrell said: “Many Welsh golf clubs hosted Dad on numerous occasions over his golfing career, they have provided Dad and the family many fond memories.”

But the final word goes to legendary golf writer Bernard Darwin who recorded, “Perhaps I may pay my respectful compliments to Hew Squirrell.

“An elegant player he may not be – but he is full of fight and hope and the most difficult man to beat in any company.”

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Hexham’s Matty Lamb the second Northumberland winner of the Hampshire Hog after John Metcale, from Arcot Hall, in 1990. Picture by MARK SANDOM

NORTHUMBERLAND’S Matty Lamb travelled further than any of the 72 competitors vying to put their name alongside Justin Rose’s on the Hampshire Hog honours board at North Hants GC.

And the plus-five handicapper, who is currently not a member of the England squad – gave the biggest hint possible that he should be on the Walker Cup selectors list to face the Americans at Hoylake, in August, when he shattered the course record at North Hants.

Rose famously won the trophy as a 14-year-old back in 1995 and within two years was the youngest ever player to be selected to face the Americans in the amateur equivalent to the Ryder Cup, at the age of just 16.

He was 17 by the time he faced the USA at Pine Ridge but just as Rose surprised the England selectors by winning the Hog by five shots 24 years ago, Lamb put the temporary course record to the slaughter with a superb 63 in the second round.

The Hexham ace’s round contained eight birdies – including four in his first five holes – but it had looked remote in the morning having had to settle for a one-over par70.

That was three shots behind the pacesetters down in equal 10th with 10 other players.

But the 21-year-old quickly hit a five-iron to 15 feet having started the second round at the 10^th for a birdie two – only to give it straight back at the 11th, where he three-putted.

At the 12th, however, he left a seven-iron 12 feet from the pin while at the short par-four 13th, he splashed out of a greenside bunker to five feet and converted that chance after a booming drive of more than 300 yards.

A gap wedge to 30-foot gave him a fourth birdie at the 14^th, and at the 18th he holed his third after hitting a nine-iron to 15 feet to get to the turn in 32.

Another towering nine-iron to 20 feet at the second meant he was now sharing the lead as lunchtime leader Joe Cass, from Fulford, made the turn in three-over, and Howley Hall’s Ben Hutchinson could not add to his total.

Lamb picked up another shot at the downhill sixth, where he drove the green some 377 yards long and two-putted.

He also birdied the eighth, hitting a wedge to 20 feet, but with a 61 in his sights, he found sand off the ninth and could do no better than a disappointing bogey five.

Lamb, who spent 18 months at North Carolina University in Charlotte, was pleased to join the likes of Justin Rose, Sandy Lyle and Michael Bonallack on the Hog trophy.

He became just the second Northumberland winner after Arcot Hall’s John Metcalfe – who is still the only player to have won the Selborne Salver, Hampshire Hog and Hampshire Salver in the same weekend.

Hallowes’ Sam Bairstow was looking to become jus the second ever Yorkshireman to win the Hog after Middlesborough’s Jon Lupton in 2001, but after matching Lamb’s slow start with a 70 his more than respectable 65, including seven birdies and two bogeys was two shy.

His score was matched by Whittington Heath’s Ryan Brooks who carded a second round 67 to go with his first round 68.

A shot behind them were 2010 Brabazon Trophy winner Darren Wright, from Rowland’s Castle, playing his first medal round of the year having got his amateur status back late last season, after calling a halt to his career on the European Challenge and EuroPro Tours after six years.

His blistering 64 was in complete contrast to his slow starting 72 – which was understandable as he shakes off the rust of little top level golf in two years.

Wiltshire’s Jake Bolton (Ogbourne Downs), who added a 66 to his morning 70, was edged out of the Hampshire Salver by Bairstow on countback, aiming to emulate Bowood’s European Tour winner Jordan Smith, who managed the feat in 2014.

It was a cruel weekend for the Wiltshire golfer – he did not do a lot wrong in losing a play-off to Ham Manor’s Charlie Strickland in the Selborne Salver, at Blackmoor, on Saturday.

Hertfordshire’s Robert Watkins (Hadley Wood), who shot 71, 67, and another Wiltshireman in Cumberwell Park’s James Cooper who carded 68, 70 both matched par to share sixth along with Lansdown’s Joe Long (68, 70) and Cass (67, 71).

North Hants’ 2017 British Mid Amateur Champion Matt Wilcox, who won the Berkhamsted Trophy a year ago, was 11^th with a pair of 70s.

Former Hampshire captain Martin Young, from Brokenhurst Manor, posted a pair of 71s to take 16^th spot., a shot ahead of Stoneham’s Alex Talbot (72, 71).

Last year’s Hampshire Amateur Champion Owen Grimes, from Stoneham, carded two 73s to end up in 35^th place on his debut in the competition which started back in 1959.

Hexham’s Matty Lamb broke the course record with a six-unde par 63 including eight birdies at North Hants in the Hampshire Hog. Picture by ANDREW GRIFFIN / AMG Pictures

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Hallowes’ Sam Bairstow is just the second Yorkshireman to claim the Hampshire Salver for the best 72-hole score in the Hampshire Hog and the Selborne Salver. Picture by ANDREW GRIFFIN / AMG Pictures

HALLOWES GC’s Sam Bairstow prevented Jake Bolton from becoming the second Wiltshire winner of the Hampshire Savler in six years at North Hants Golf Club.

Andrew Sullivan (left) the 2011 Hampshire Salver winner. Picture by ANDREW GRIFFIN / AMG Pictures

It is 14 years since a Hampshire player last claimed the Salver – Stoneham’s Ryan Henley, who won at Blackmoor that year, when he also won the county championship at the East Hampshire heathland course which celebrated its centenary that year.

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The 2018 Fed Ex Champion in the Justin Rose Room at North Hants Golf Club where the club’s most famous member’s achievements – including his 2013 US Open win and claiming the Olympic Golf at Rio in 2016 – are recorded and celebrated. Picture courtesy North Hants GC

WHILE Justin Rose’s 14th appearance at the Masters may have not gone to plan over the first two days at Augusta, avid fans of amateur golf will remember events at North Hants Golf Club some 25 years ago, which set the US Open champion on the road to becoming the World No. 1.

Justin Rose was just 14 years old when he took on the might of the finest amateur golfers in the land in the 1995 Hampshire Hog – the majority were at least four or five years older, and in some cases 10, a lifetime in terms of experience and development, as in most sports.

But as the afternoon round unfolded, word spread back the clubhouse where many members had been either enjoying a long lunch, or were busy running the prestigious tournament that marks the real start of the UK domestic amateur season, that something special was happening out on the course.

The late respected sports reporter Alistair Marshall recalled before the 10^th anniversary of Rose blooming as a young boy: “A couple of us golf journalists were finishing a late lunch when a couple of the members came running into the bar.

“They said we had to come out quick because this young lad Justin Rose was ripping up the course, and was going to win at the age of just 14.”

He did indeed win, creating a new record 36-hole score in the process and the rest, as they say, is history.

The Hog was established back in 1959 and within its first 20 years had already established itself with three of Britain’s best two post-war amateurs – Sir Michael Bonallack Phillip Scrutton and Peter McEvoy.

The trio won it four times between them, sandwiched between the likes of future European Seniors Tour champion Carl Mason and a certain Sandy Lyle, who started the UK’s dominance at Augusta, 11 years after he collected the solid silver trophy depicting the famous Hampshire Hog.

Open and Masters winner Sandy Lyle is presented with the Hampshire Hog back in 1977. Picture courtesy of North Hants GC

The likes Gordon Brand Jnr and Steve Richardson would also graduate to Ryder Cup glory.

Another amateur legend, Gary Wolstenholme, who was invited to the Masters the following year after his two British Amateur Championship wins in 1991 and 2002, was crowned champion at North Hants in 1997 – denying Rose a second win – and in 2002.

And to bring the story up to date, if you had been one of the dozens of spectators rather even hundreds, who had watched the Hog over the last 10 or so years, you would have seen the likes of 2016 Masters winner Danny Willett, Tommy Fleetwood, Andy Sullivan and Matthew Fitzpatrick, who have all played in the last two Ryder Cups, tackling the heathland course where Rose really blossomed.

Rose still has incredibly strong ties to the club – the Justin Rose Room was created on the upper floor in the old committee room, featuring a trophy cabinet that features his official Olympic jacket after he claimed the Gold medal after the game returned to the Games for the first time in 112 years in Rio, in 2016.

The far end of the room features a folding wall which when extended – forms the official scoreboard from Merion Golf Club, where he famously won the US Open title in 2013.

Pictures of Justin winning the Hog back in 1995 and from some of his other famous victories – he is the only English junior to land the Carris and McGregor Trophies in the same season after winning the English U18 and U16 Amateur Championships, respectively – also adorn the walls.

But the most well-known picture features the teenager, who became the youngest-ever player to appear in the 1997 Walker Cup for Great Britain and Ireland against the USA, when he holed out at the last during the 1998 Open Championship, at Royal Birkdale, to finish fourth alongside Tiger Woods, having qualified as an amateur.

Rose turned pro the following week, and while it took him nine years to become crowned European No. 1, before moving to the United States, where he went on to claim 10 PGA Tour titles and two World Golf Championships, that April day at North Hants Golf Club, will always be remembered as pivotal in his journey to the top.

•Entry to watch this year’s Hampshire Hog on Sunday, April 14, is free. Play commences at 8am. North Hants Golf Club is on Minley Road, Fleet, just five minutes from the M3 Junction 4A.

Hampshire Hog winner Jordan Smith (left) with Moor Park’s Callum Shinkwin, holding the Hampshire Salver in 2013. Both are now on the European Tour. Picture by ANDREW GRIFFIN

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