Harry stages remarkable comeback
YOUNG Englishman Harry Ellis is the new Amateur Champion after a remarkable comeback at Royal St George’s yesterday.
Four down with five to play and then three down with three to play against Dylan Perry of Australia, Ellis levelled the match at the 36th.
Then after the first extra hole had been halved, a disastrous double-bogey from Perry at the next handed Ellis the prestigious title, to go with the English Amateur he won in 2013.
The 21-year-old, who plays at Meon Valley Golf Club in Hampshire, will now take his place at next month’s Open Championship at Royal Birkdale.
The morning round had been tight. The lead changed hands, with neither player ever more than one up before they went to lunch all-square.
But a spectacular run of five holes out of six in the afternoon saw Perry take an iron grip as he went four holes ahead with just nine to play.
At that stage, the Australian looked to have one hand on the trophy until he was struck by a strong case of the jitters.
Perry bogeyed four of the last five while Ellis was consistency personified as five straight pars took it to extra holes before a final mistake from the Aussie was enough for victory.