Jamie Butler (Killeen) shot a sensational first round 64 (-7) in Clandeboye on a perfect day for low scoring in the Ulster Men’s Amateur Stroke Play Open Championship.
He added a second round of -2 to leave him in a promising position heading into the final round, and he had extended his lead to six shots by the end of today’s action.
“it’s my first time here playing in the Ulster Stroke Play. Clandeboye is a great venue. I played here a couple of years ago and was looking forward to coming back,” said Butler.
“I was out early this morning, and the course was in great condition. The greens were perfect. It’s a real thinker’s golf course. There is a lot of strategy off the tee. You have to place the balls into the greens because its really firm out here. I was fortunate to do well today. I holed a lot of putts in the first round but didn’t quite hole as much in the second round but made a lot of birdies.
“I got off to a quick start, I was around -5 at the turn. There was a few good up and down par saves in there too and then I hung on in the back nine and took my chances when they came. It was great to go low this morning as that’s my lowest round ever.”
Butler finished off his second round going -2 under for his last four holes which puts him in a great position heading into tomorrow’s round where he will play with Rory Williamson (Holywood) and David Kitt (Athenry).
“It’s important to finish well as it’s a long day out here playing 36 holes so it’s easy to get tired. It was important to finish well as I holed a goof few putts for birdies at the end. I’m looking forward to tomorrow, anytime you’re up around the top of the leaderboard it’s always fun. I’m sure it will be a great battle.”
In the women’s section, local Jessica Ross shot an outstanding second round of 66 (-7) to give her a four-shot lead heading into tomorrow’s final round, over Hermitage’s Kate Lanigan. She had opened up her morning round by shooting level par which has her sitting on -7 in total.
“This morning I left a few out there and started off my second round slow but I finished strong so I’m happy with the finish,” said Ross.
The Clandeboye native will play her final round tomorrow alongside Lanigan and Anna Abom (Edmondstown).
“I’m happy enough with today, a lead is nothing out here so I’m just going to take every shot as it comes, and I will see how it goes.”
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