Eugene Wong Advances to British Amateur Match Play

Merckle, one of six Canadians entered in the field of 288, finished tied for 32nd after posting an even par total of (68-76) 144 while Wong, who also claimed the BC Junior title last year, finished at (73-73) 2-over 146 and tied for 52nd. The top 64 scorers advanced into match play.

Claiming the number one seed as the stroke play medalist---four shots ahead of the field--- was Matteo Manassero, a 16-year-old from Italy who set a course record of 7-under par 65 in his first round at West Lancashire, followed that with a 70 for a 135 aggregate. At age16, Manassero is the youngest player to lead the stroke play qualifying since it was introduced in 1983. He surpasses 2001 Open Champion David Duval who in 1991 led the qualifying at Ganton as a19 year-old.

Among the six Canadians entered but who did not make it into the round of 64 was Matt Hill, the NCAA medalist from Bright's Grove, Ont., (76-75—151) who finished tied at 135. Lindsay Renolds of Christina Lake, BC (76-74—150) came in T113; Ontario's Christopher Ross finished (73-80—153) T153 and Peter Sauerbrei (78-78—156) was at 221.

The Royal Canadian Golf Association decided last year to scrap the match play format and return to 72 holes of stroke play for determining the Canadian Amateur champion. Some players have suggested it was to cut costs, to save having to rent a golf course for one day while two players competed over 36 holes. However, players in Great Britain love the match play format.

As one young Brit declared: “Match play is fantastic. It’s a change of game plan and I’ll enjoy playing more aggressively. If in doubt, go flat out!”