FIGHTING FLEETWOOD IMPRESSES BUT SKELTON EASES THROUGH
Michael Skelton has predicted a glowing future for 14 year
old Tommy Fleetwood after he beat the Lancashire youngster
in their first round tie at of the English Amateur Championship
at Bromborough.
Skelton, a member of the victorious 2003 Walker Cup team
at Ganton, eased through the second day of the Championship
by two holes then gave a huge sigh of relief.
“How good is that lad?” he asked. “He’s
going to be up there with the Ollie Fishers and the other
great youngsters before long.”
Skelton, 21, the beaten finalist two years ago, found himself
two down at the turn but won three holes in a row from the
tenth, two with birdies, to edge in front. A further birdie
at the 452 yard 14th put him two ahead but 14 year old Fleetwood
chipped-in at the next to cut the deficit before Skelton won
the short 16th. A Fleetwood birdie at the long 17th brought
them down the last where another Skelton birdie sealed his
victory.
“My plan was to play par golf and to rely on my length
to birdie the par fives but Tommy was right up there with
me,” he added. “His iron play is pure and he is
one of the best prospects I’ve seen.”
It took the seeded David Horsey, last year’s runner-up,
a few holes to get his game into swing before he completed
a 3 and 1 victory over Ashley Lucas from Chelmsford. Lucas
was two up through five holes after holing a pair of monster
putts and he was still two clear at the turn. But local hope
Horsey birdied the 11th, 12th and 13th to go one up and further
successes at 14 and 17 saw him home.
It was generally a good day for the seeds in action. Although
Neil Chaudhuri fell against Essex man Craig Housden at the
23rd in a match held over from Monday night, there were no
more casualties.
Oliver Fisher, who will become the youngest Walker Cup player
when he tees off against the Americans in Chicago next month,
cruised through against Norfolk’s Craig Waugh, while
James Ruth, from Devon, had a 4 and 2 victory over Hertfordshire’s
Jason Mitchell.
However, Adam Gee needed extra time to put out the dogged
John Parry from Yorkshire.
“We played each other in the Amateur Championship and
I was lucky to win at the last,” said Gee. “When
I saw the draw for the English I was not over-optimistic but
I managed to come out on top again.”
Parry won the first three holes and it took Gee until the
11th to get back to level. He was ahead playing the last but
flew the green into the trees and lost the hole. However,
the Surrey man managed a birdie-three at the 19th to seal
victory.
Lincolnshire champion Rob Harris birdied the last two holes
to go through against Hampshire’s Sam Boyes, while James
Smith, the Kent champion, led all the way before beating Lee
Mason from Derbyshire.
It was a mixed morning for some Essex men. After Housden’s
defeat, Rhys Piper romped to a 5 and 4 victory over Bedfordshire
champion Michael Round, but Paul Harris succumbed 2 and 1
to Ben Parker, who will represent England in next week’s
Boys Home Internationals at Woodhall Spa.
With Lawrence Dodd and Matthew Cryer also successful, it
meant 11 seeds were through to round two and three of those
progressed to round three although two needed extra holes
against gritty opponents.
Ross McGowan, in a winning streak following his victory in
the South of England Open at Walton Heath last week, was involved
in a barrage of birdies with Bristol’s Shane Winstone
in which the lead swapped hands several times. A birdie at
the long 17th put Winstone in front again but McGowan holed
from eight feet for one of his own at the last to take the
match into extra holes. Both birdied the 19th but the end
came at the short 22nd where McGowan holed for another birdie.
“Shane putted awesome so I’m just pleased to
get through,” said McGowan.
Gary Wolstenholme, still seeking the elusive title, had a
battle on his hands against Suffolk’s Jamie Abbott which
also went to extra time. Abbott, 18, one of four new caps
in next week’s Boys Home Internationals, was far from
overawed but went out when Wolstenholme was conceded a birdie-three
at the 19th, which the youngster failed to match.
“I’m impressed with him,” said Wolstenholme.
“He played well and is very gutsy. He deserves to be
in the boys team next week and he could be a great asset for
England in the future.”
Steven Tiley only needed 12 holes to dismiss Geordie Ricky
Lee 7 and 6, having won his opening match 6 and 5.
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