Caolan Rafftery eased his way into the third round of The 122nd Amateur Championship with a comfortable 5&3 victory over David Ravetto at Royal St George’s.
The 25-year-old Irishman continued the stunning form which saw him set a new course record 62 at Prince’s on Tuesday to progress through to the last 32. The Dundalk golfer, who finished tied seven in the recent Lytham Trophy, will now play Argentina’s Alejandro Tosti, who won his match by 3&1 against England’s Gian-Marco Petrozzi.
Finland’s Casper Simberg finished his match off in style, hitting his first ever competitive hole-in-one to defeat South Africa’s Kyle McClatchie on the third extra hole.
Last year’s Amateur Championship finalist and the highest-ranked player in the field, Robert MacIntyre booked his place in the third round after coming through two matches in the baking heat in Kent. The Scotland international dispatched China’s Zheng Kai Bai 3&1 in the morning and defeated Australia’s Ben Ferguson 3&2 in the afternoon.
MacIntyre, who was defeated 2&1 by Scott Gregory in the 2016 final at Royal Porthcawl, will be looking to go one better this year and get his hands on the historic trophy on Saturday evening. Fellow Scots Craig Howie and Ryan Lumsden are also through.
Lytham Trophy winner Jack Singh Brar made a flying start in his match with Ireland’s Sean Flanagan, going four up through the first six holes. The Irishman gained two holes back at the turn but Singh Brar held his nerve to see out the match and record a 2&1 victory.
This is the England international’s first foray into the match play stage at The Amateur Championship and he now faces Swiss golfer Perry Cohen for a place in the last 16. In a good day for the host nation, Singh Brar’s fellow countrymen Charlie Strickland, Daniel O’Loughlin, Jordan Sundborg, Harry Ellis, Tom Sloman, George Baylis, and David Langley all progressed to the third round tomorrow.
R&A Foundation Scholars Tournament Champion Stuart Grehan defeated Dutch golfer Peter Melching to set up a third-round tie with Scotland international Lumsden. Ireland’s Paul McBride joins him in the last 32 after his victory over Swede Oliver Gillberg.
Of the Australian contingent, Min Woo Lee, Zach Murray, Dylan Perry and Harrison Endycott are still in with a chance of becoming the first Australian to win the championship since Bryden Macpherson in 2011 at Hillside.
The third round gets underway on Thursday at Royal St George’s at 7.30am. For scoring please visit Randa.org.