As we move through the matchplay stages of the R&A Girls’ and Boys’ Amateur championships at Carnoustie Thursday was a mixed day for the Irish with just two survivors one from the boys and one from the girls categories advancing to Friday.
In the Boys’ Amateur we started the day with five Irish competitors in the round of 64 but after defeats for Charlie Kelly (Roganstown), Morgan O’Sullivan (Ballyneety), Matthew Giles (Greenore) and Gavin O’Neill (Malahide) with only New Forest’s Adam Kelly progressing to the round of 32.
Kelly defeated Joseph Buttress from Australia 2&1 and was very happy that a hot putter booked his place in the next round.
“The course is really nice and it’s been less windy than I expected.” Said Kelly after his win. “I’m holing putts from everywhere so looking forward to it tomorrow. Putting is key out here. If you can get the ball in the hole, you win matches.
“We play many links courses in Ireland so coming over here to Carnoustie is a great feeling. This is my last year for the Boys’ Amateur but it doesn’t add pressure. Each day I take it as it comes and enjoy the moment.”
In the Girls’ Amateur which is a round ahead of the boys, Clandeboy’s Rebekah Gardner lost her last 32 tie 6&4 leaving Roscommon’s Olivia Costello as the sole Irish player claiming her place in the last 16 with a 2&1 win against Sofie Bindner Engeseth from Norway.
Costello will now face Emily James from Wales at 10:50am on Friday Morning looking to book a place in Saturday mornings quarter final. Adam Kelly will face Louis Anceaux of France at 07:20am.
The last-16 ties for the Girls’ Amateur take place tomorrow, alongside the rounds of 32 and 16 for the Boys’ Amateur.
For the first time, the 36-hole finals of both championships on Sunday will be live streamed at Carnoustie and can be watched on The R&A’s website at www.randa.org as well as on The R&A YouTube channel.
Follow the live blog, scoring and match play draws at www.randa.org
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