The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Moroccan Ssouadi shares first day lead
Morocco’s Ayoub Ssouadi secured a share of the lead in the 124th Amateur Championship after the opening day of stroke play qualifying in Ireland yesterday.
The 23-year-old from Tangier is making a rare trip to Europe and the 806-ranked player in the World Amateur Golf Rankings posted an impressive four under par 67 over The Island, near Dublin.
Matching him was England’s Harry Hall, the runner-up in the Brabazon Trophy. Germany’s Anton Albers also reached four under after a birdie at the last at Portmarnock for his 68.
Another Englishman, Thomas Plumb, sits a shot behind on three under.
There are competitors from 37 countries in the 288-player field, firstly competing over two rounds of stroke play qualifying at Portmarnock and The Island, before the format for the qualifiers switches to match play.
It is only the second time The Amateur Championship has been hosted at Portmarnock following the previous staging in 1949. The Island is co-hosting for the first time in its history.
At Portmarnock, Sandy Scott reacquainted himself with links golf in solid fashion.
The 20-year-old from Nairn, who has just finished his penultimate year at Texas Tech University, signed for a one under par 71.
“I’m pleased given the conditions,” said the Great Britain and Ireland Walker Cup squad member.
“I played pretty strategically but was aggressive at the same time and one-under is a solid score.”
The next best Scot is Connor McKinney on two over. Rory Franssen of Auchterarder is four over.
Downfield’s Graham Bell is in the field at this week’s Scottish Senior Men’s Open Championship.
The 2017 champion will be looking to add a second Senior Open title to his CV when the competition gets under way tomorrow at Luffness GC.
The format will be 54 holes of strokeplay with a cut after the first 36. The top 60 and ties after tomorrow and Thursday’s rounds will progress to the final round on Friday.