Ireland's Bryan Omelia took a big step towards the matchplay stages of the British Amateur Championship at Muirfield yesterday. Omelia shares the lead with Bognor Regis' Ryan Fenwick after they both carded two-underpar 69s.
Qualifying rounds Portmarnock's Noel Fox is also well placed after an opening round of 72, also at Muirfield. Milltown's Jody Fanagan, playing at Gullane, shot a 69, three shots off the pace set by first round leader Mark Hilton. Omelia had an up-and-down round with five birdies and three bogeys, but pronounced himself pleased with his form. "I was positive off the tee, which you have to be here with the rough, and I'm happy with the score," said the Newlands golfer.
Fenwick was steadiness personified and immediately put the improvement in his game down to legendary coach David Leadbetter. Fenwick attended sessions with Leadbetter in both England and America at Lake Nona, and the scratch player admitted it had helped immeasurably.
"We didn't do that much on my swing, but it was more the confidence factor that he helped me with," said Fenwick.
Leading First Round Scores
Muirfield (Par 71)
69 - R Fenwick (Bognor Regis), B Omelia (Newlands)
70 - T Dier (Ger), P Hansson (Swe) 71 - K Ferrie (Alnmouth), B Taylor (Thorpe Hall)
72 - R Vera (Spa), R Hodgkinson (Lindrick), M Side (Shirley Park), L Seligmann (US), G Ogilvy (Aus), A Wainwright (Garforth), T Immelman (Rsa), S Maio (Ita), S Carmichael (Cardross), S Wittkop (Ger), J Harris (Nevill), R Quiros (Spa), N Fox (Portmarnock), M Ilonen (Fin) Gullane (Par 71)
66 - M Hilton (East Sussex National) 67 - M Harris (Ham Moor) 68 - O David (Fra), E Gibstein (US) 69 - R Hoit (US), C Aronsen (Nor), J Fanagan (Milltown), S Dyson (Sand Moor), S Garcia (Spa), L Storm (Den), S Williams (Clays Farm) 70 - M Pilkington (Pwllheli), B Mason (Sand Moor), M Chatelain (Swi), J Lee (Swi), M Loftus (Cowglen), C Rodgers (Royal Mid Surrey), P Rowe (West Cornwall), C Williams (Creigiau), S McCarthy (Royal North Devon), G Havret (Fra), F Dupre (US)
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