Golf: Andrews in sparkling form to set new best

May 27 2008 by Trevor Peake, Liverpool Daily Post

A BLISTERING nine-under-par first round 61, which took three strokes off the course record, set Ashton-in-Makerfield’s Adam Andrews up for victory in the Lancashire Boys Championship over 36 holes at Haydock Park.

The 17-year-old shattered the course record held by Lancashire county player Ian Kenwright, son of Haydock Park professional Peter, to take a five-stroke lead into the second round.

Although he took 10 strokes more in the afternoon, his total of 132 left him seven clear of his nearest rivals.

The sixth form college student at The Deanery in Wigan started his round with four threes. He birdied the first, parred the short second and fourth and eagled the long third. He then birdied the long fifth before parring his way to the ninth to be out in 31.

His second nine began with five successive threes. Birdies at 10 and 11, a par at the short 12th, then birdies at 13, the most difficult hole on the course, and 14.

He then got three pars before hitting his tee shot to eight feet at the final hole and sinking the putt for his seventh birdie of the round to be back in 30. Formby scratchman James Wilson was the closest to Andrews after his opening round of 66 but he could do no better than 73 in the afternoon and finished third on a countback behind Manchester five handicapper Andrew Davies, who shot 68, 71.

Wilson did, however, win the best gross prize in the morning with his fellow scratchman Andrews only allowed to pick up the main prize. Five handicapper Kevin Keating from Blackpool Park won the morning nett prize with a 65.

The best gross in the afternoon was a 70 by Royal Birkdale three handicapper Michael Howard while six handicapper Matthew Hanon from Childwall won the nett prize with a round of 66.

Formby had three players in the top 10, James Bolton, who plays of four, shooting 71,72 to finish seventh, one of four players on 143, while two handicapper Matthew Gregson shot 75,72 to take 10th place on 147.