The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Carnoustie golfer enjoys ‘crazy day’ at Scottish Amateur
ScottiSh AmAteur: Hole in one and an eagle on his way to fine win
For Liam Balneaves, it really was a day to remember on the famous Prestwick links yesterday as he produced one of the stories of the week at the Scottish Men’s Amateur Championship.
While more fancied players continued their progress, the scratch handicapper composed a remarkable round to beat Rory Smith from Dalmahoy 4&3.
The 29-year-old New Zealander hails from Invercargill but has been living in Scotland for the last four years, with his mum and dad both born here.
Working out of the famous Auchterlonies golf shop in St Andrews, and playing out of Carnoustie, he has kept his eye in on the golf course ahead of returning to his native country next month.
That was never truer than at a rainy Prestwick where he produced the third hole-in-one of his golfing life at the second hole with a well-struck 8-iron, before holing from 145 yards with a 9-iron for an eagle at the 12th. His opponent, Smith, probably didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
“I felt sorry for Rory, I did,” admitted Balneaves. “It was a crazy day, I’ve never had anything like it in golf. I’m hitting it really good. I love the course, and it’s fun for matchplay.”
He then joked: “Our weather back home is similar to here, so I’m comfortable in wind and rain.”
Elsewhere, top-ranked players also handled the conditions. There were comfortable early second-round victories for favourites Craig Howie (Peebles) and Sandy Scott (Nairn), who have now set up a mouth-watering meeting in the opening match of the last32.
Howie, a former Scottish Boys’ champion, has one goal in mind this week – simply to win. “I played pretty solid, didn’t make too many mistakes,” he said. “I’m loving the course, it’s quirky, but it really tests your ball striking.”
Craig’s younger brother, Darren, was also a notable winner, taking out fellow Scotland internationalist Rory Franssen with a 3&2 triumph.
Kirkhill’s Craig Ross continued his progress, as did Ryan Lumsden from Royal Wimbledon, who represented Scotland in the recent European Amateur Team Championship.
Another ex-Scottish Boys’ champion, Carnoustie’s Will Porter, also showed his liking for matchplay. The 19-year-old, who is working with coach Fraser Mann, defeated Lewis Irvine by one hole.
He said: “It’s a long week, so we’ll see what happens. I actually try to treat it as strokeplay and enjoy it. I have memories of my win in 2015 in the Boys at Dunbar so hopefully that inspires me.”
While Walker Cup captain Craig Watson from East Renfrewshire bowed out, losing 3&2 to Calvin Cheyne from Newmachar, another intriguing story could unfold as Australia-based Scot Robbie Morrison, who plays out of Royal Perth, progressed after beating Brendan McKenna (Pollok) 4&3.