The 2004 British Amateur Championship

The 2004 British Amateur Championship - Cryer through R1

David Morgan - Monday, 31 May, 2004

Throughout this week, we will be reporting on the successes of Warwickshire Amateurs in the 2004 British Amateur Championships. Qualifying is being held over the Old and the Jubilee Courses with the top 64 going through top the Matchplay over the Old. This feature will be updated each day as long as there is Warwickshire representation - hopefully through to Saturday and the Final.

Qualifying - Day 1

Scoring was very low on what was a fairly benign day by St Andrews standards. There was some drizzle in the morning before the skies cleared during the afternoon so Ricardo Santos's 66 round the Old Course was a very good start but Santos has 5 players just one shot behind him and on 68 is Matt Cryer, Tied 6th also round the Old Course.

On 76 and having to play the round of his life to qualify is Chris Evans (scoring is that good). Peter Chalkley is on 85. On 72, tied 72nd is Rob Steele. Rob was under par early on in his round but dropped back to +1 after 15. He birdied the 17th and just lipped out on 18 and he was in good company with both his playing partners shooting 72s as well. All three will be looking for a 70 or less to ensure their progress to the matchplay.

Qualifying - Day 2

With several downpoors over the day, the qualifers for the matchplay section of the 2004 British Amateur was not finlaised unitl very late in the evening.. James Heath and Kevin McAlpine lead the qualifers with 135, including a course record equalling 62 from McAlpine.

Pater Chalkley had no chance of making it to the Top 64 but his 73 was very respetable. It wasn't Rob Steele's best round, with caddy Paul Randle on his bag. Rob had 6 three putts in a 77. Chris Evans played very well for a 69 but it would hav eneeded to have been a 65 if Chris was to have made it through after his opening 76.

The fantastic news was from Matt Cryer 'I am just playing very solidly'. Matt had a second successive 68 for 136 to be T3rd of the qualifers. Mat plays this morning in his first round match and we will be talking to Matt later in the day, hopefully when he is through to Round 3.

The Matchplay - R1

Matt Cryer, our only qualifer, made a very fast start in his 1st Round match and kept things going, unlike some of the notables in the field (Fisher was 4 up after 9 and lost 2&1). Four birdies in his opening 8 holes and Matt was 5up. He three putted the 11th and made bogey on 13 but was still 5 up.

A drive OOB on the par five 14th saw Matt take six and loose that hole and when his opponent holed a massive putt on the 15th (for a birdie), Matt was glad he had only 15ft for a matching 3 and the first round victory.

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