Frankie Morton secured the English Under 18 Championship on a dramatic final day at Farnham Golf Club on Sunday.
The Orsett golfer posted rounds of 67 and 71 in the scorching Sunday heat to secure the title by just one shot, overcoming a late charge from local lad Aaron Moody, who fired an amateur course record with a 64.
The Essex golfer, who was the only player in the field to be under par across all four rounds, had started with rounds of 70 and 69 and grew with confidence as the tournament progressed.
“It means a lot,” said Morton. “It’s taken a lot of hard work and it’s good that it’s all paid off. I heard a lot of claps, saw a lot of fist pumps from the group behind and in front, so it was a great day.”
Having started the day two shots back, Morton fired a bogey-free 5-under (67) to lead by three and he looked to have things under control with an eagle on the par-five 1st to kickstart his final round. But the chasing pack weren’t giving in too easily.
Wentworth’s Josh Thompson eagled the par-4 8th and had three successive back nine birdies before finishing four shots back in 4th, while Thorndon Park’s Ethan Roos couldn’t capitalise after holding the lead after round one, posting 70 to tie Thompson in 4th.
Thorpe Hall’s Toby Peters, meanwhile, made three early birdies, but a run of pars before a birdie on the last left him two shots short. That left Moody, who has plenty of course knowledge, to push the leader all the way.
Morton made bogey on 12, but pars all the way, including a crucial four-foot putt on the last for par, set the target at 11-under, but the claps were getting louder from the group behind. The Burhill golfer, whose grandfather is a member of Farnham, had made seven birdies and a bogey on the 16th tee before adding a further two on 16 and 17.
One shot ahead, and seeing Moody hit his 3rd into the par-5 5th to 10 foot, the teenager watched on as the birdie try agonisingly slipped by.
“Coming down 18 there were a little bit of nerves,” Morton added. “I thought I needed to make birdie, I kept it in play, and thankfully made the par putt from four foot. I’m very happy!”
Charlie Croker’s late surge wasn’t enough but the English Boys' Squad member will be delighted with his first round fightback. After shooting 79 on day one, the Abridge golfer replied with 68 and 69, before a bogey-free, six-birdie 66 moved him to 6th.
Surrey’s Lottie Woodham was the leading girl in the field after finishing 4-under. The West Hill product shot rounds of 73 and 75, before a strong finish of 69 and 67.
Check out the final leaderboard here.
The Essex golfer, who was the only player in the field to be under par across all four rounds, had started with rounds of 70 and 69 and grew with confidence as the tournament progressed.
“It means a lot,” said Morton. “It’s taken a lot of hard work and it’s good that it’s all paid off. I heard a lot of claps, saw a lot of fist pumps from the group behind and in front, so it was a great day.”
Having started the day two shots back, Morton fired a bogey-free 5-under (67) to lead by three and he looked to have things under control with an eagle on the par-five 1st to kickstart his final round. But the chasing pack weren’t giving in too easily.
Wentworth’s Josh Thompson eagled the par-4 8th and had three successive back nine birdies before finishing four shots back in 4th, while Thorndon Park’s Ethan Roos couldn’t capitalise after holding the lead after round one, posting 70 to tie Thompson in 4th.
Thorpe Hall’s Toby Peters, meanwhile, made three early birdies, but a run of pars before a birdie on the last left him two shots short. That left Moody, who has plenty of course knowledge, to push the leader all the way.
Morton made bogey on 12, but pars all the way, including a crucial four-foot putt on the last for par, set the target at 11-under, but the claps were getting louder from the group behind. The Burhill golfer, whose grandfather is a member of Farnham, had made seven birdies and a bogey on the 16th tee before adding a further two on 16 and 17.
One shot ahead, and seeing Moody hit his 3rd into the par-5 5th to 10 foot, the teenager watched on as the birdie try agonisingly slipped by.
“Coming down 18 there were a little bit of nerves,” Morton added. “I thought I needed to make birdie, I kept it in play, and thankfully made the par putt from four foot. I’m very happy!”
Charlie Croker’s late surge wasn’t enough but the English Boys' Squad member will be delighted with his first round fightback. After shooting 79 on day one, the Abridge golfer replied with 68 and 69, before a bogey-free, six-birdie 66 moved him to 6th.
Surrey’s Lottie Woodham was the leading girl in the field after finishing 4-under. The West Hill product shot rounds of 73 and 75, before a strong finish of 69 and 67.
Check out the final leaderboard here.
ENDS
Contact details:
Tom Vale, Press & Media Manager
Tel: 07912 240850
Email: tom.vale@englandgolf.org
www.englandgolf.org
Contact details:
Tom Vale, Press & Media Manager
Tel: 07912 240850
Email: tom.vale@englandgolf.org
www.englandgolf.org