Aikens shows his medal
Heads to match play as top seed
Reaching the final a year ago, Herbie Aikens knows what it is like to be close to the Massachusetts Amateur title. Through two days at The Country Club in Brookline, he looks like he is ready for another deep run in match play.
The Kingston resident earned medalist honors for the first time in his standout amateur career yesterday with a 7-under par 135 following a second round 67 that featured five birdies and one bogey.
“It is really special. It’s something I haven’t done before and this tournament means so much, not having won it and being so close last year,” Aikens said. “It’s a great way to start the week and I’m just going to focus on match play now. I’m thrilled and honored to have my name on (the medalist award) because it is named after Harry (McCracken) and Harry is the best.
“Whether you are medalist or No. 32 (seed), it doesn’t really matter, it all starts over again tomorrow.”
History is not on Aikens’ side as Nick McLaughlin (2015) and John Hadges (2008) are the lone medalists to win the championship.
Aikens birdied two of the first three holes on the opening back side at Nos. 11 and 12 and added another at 14, taking advantage of both par 5s (Nos. 11 and 14).
“That definitely settled me down quick because when you come out of the gate — I didn’t even hit them that close, just made a couple long putts — and I said this is a good way to get going,” Aikens said. “It kind of takes the edge off and you just zone in and play golf, that’s all it comes down to.”
His only bogey of the day came at No. 2, but he rebounded to birdie Nos. 5 and 6.
Aikens is still unsure of his opening opponent as an 8-for-2 playoff has been whittled down to a 2-for-1. The 2017 Massachusetts and U.S. Mid-Am champion Matt Parziale and Mark Turner will settle the 32nd spot in match play today at 7 a.m. after darkness suspended play following four playoff holes yesterday.
Aengus McAllister of Brookline has lived in the United States for just 12 years and been a member at TCC for six, but he continues to carry the flag for this year’s hosts as the only member to qualify for the championship. He turned in a sparkling 68 to advance to match play in his first championship.
The 35-year-old Dublin native grew up playing at Portmarnock, which recently hosted the British Amateur. He has won four of the last five club championships and holds the amateur course record with a 63.
There’s a bit of pressure that comes with being the home favorite.
“There was tons of pressure in the lead up, the qualifying and every round. Just getting a lot of texts, which is really nice to get the support, but it adds a lot of pressure,” McAllister said. “I’m delighted it’s over — the qualifying rounds. Match play I love. Grew up playing match play in Ireland.”
He settled into his round right away, making a 4-footer for par at the first and making a birdie at the second.
McAllister is the 14th seed and drew Brendan Cronin in the opening round.