Conor Stapleton will have to wait to clinch his first collegiate victory after the R&A Student Tour Series event in Portugal was reduced to 36 holes due to thunderstorms at Palmares Golf Club.
Stapleton was in solo second place after two rounds on seven-over after he recovered from an opening 79 with a superb 72 which was the low round of the day on Thursday and he was awarded second spot behind University of Stirling student Will Coxon who was six-over after a second round of 73.
Despite opening with a double bogey six, 19-year-old Stapleton roared to the turn in 34 courtesy of birdies on the 3rd, 6th, 7th and 9th before making it four birdies in five holes on the 10th.
As the wind got up on the back nine he carded three successive bogeys from the 12th but grabbed a very important birdie on 15 before a bogey and two pars completed a very hard working effort.
In the women’s event, UCD’s Maebh McLoughlin claimed a share of 2nd place on 16-over, just three shots behind Thea Fridh of Halmstad University after a round of 75.
Reigning Irish Golf Writers’ Amateur of the Year Anna Dawson shared 6th place on 20-over and was seven shots behind Fridh.
“It was a great week for Conor Stapleton who now qualifies for the Student Tour Series Final in April. It was a real test for the players this week playing in storm conditions for the first two rounds which is unusual for the Algarve but hats off to the players for embracing the challenge and giving it their best,” said team manager Barry Fennelly.
Scoring HERE
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