The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Lumsden wins match with hole-in-one
Late drama: Stunning finish in Scottish Men’s Amateur Championship
Anglo-Scot Ryan Lumsden produced the finish all golfers dream of to reach the Scottish Men’s Amateur Championship quarter-finals – winning his match with his first-ever hole-in-one.
Kirkhill’s Craig Ross was on the receiving end at Prestwick as Lumsden, who plays out of Royal Wimbledon and represented Scotland in the recent European Amateur Team Championship, holed out in stunning style with an ace at the second extra hole, the short 2nd, to reach the last eight.
The pair were a combined 10 under par for their 20 holes as Lumsden set up a quarter-final tie with Irvine’s Stuart Easton.
“It was an incredible match all day long, both playing some great golf,” said Lumsden, 20, who earlier beat Aussiebased Scot Robbie Morrison in the last32.
“We got to the 20th, I knew the number of yards having played it twice already today, and one hop and it went in the back edge.
“It was an incredible feeling and it hasn’t quite sunk in yet..”
Meantime, Kilmacolm’s Matt Clark has a sixth sense as he chases glory in one of Scottish Golf’s leading national events.
The 35-year-old progressed to the quarter-finals on a windy yet bright day in Ayrshire, seeing off the challenges of Steven Stewart (Clydebank & District) and Neil Beattie from St Andrews.
Clark juggles his busy banking role and family life with a strong domestic golf game, one that has seen him represent Scotland in the last five Men’s Home International matches.
With two places up for grabs this week to complete the Scots team bound for Moortown later this month, Clark is chasing a dream six-in-row appearances if he can maintain his form over the renowned links, the first host to the Open Championship in 1860.
Ahead of facing Elderslie’s Alasdair McDougall in the last eight, Clark said: “I’ve never been to the quarter-finals so it’s new ground tomorrow. I’m pleased with how I’m playing so hopefully I can keep it going. I don’t hit it as long as these young boys do these days, so I have to be on my game.
“Trying to play in the Home Internationals is the reason I tee up in all the events I do, to try and qualify for that team and anything bigger and better. I was disappointed not to be in the initial selection but hopefully I can do enough this week to get in again.”
Nairn’s Sandy Scott, 19, recovered from two down after three holes of his last-16 tie with Will Porter (Carnoustie) to reach the quarter-finals, having earlier come through a closely-fought match with top-ranked player Craig Howie. The Peebles player three-putted the last to ultimately end his hopes.
Scott now faces Banchory’s Sam Locke, while the bottom match sees George Burns from Williamwood take on Christopher Maclean, after the Balmore player held his nerve at the last to edge out the second-best strokeplay qualifier, Cawder’s Calum Fyfe.