FORMAT: 36-hole stroke play
There was a breakthrough win for Essex’s Amy Knotts at the East Region Girls Championship where the Chigwell player enjoyed herself on Ely’s greens.
The 15-year-old had an excellent battle with county team-mate Ciara Rushner (Boyce Hill) and Norfolk’s Eve Neild (Royal Norwich) to win by two shots thanks to a pair of one-under-par 73s.
Amy, who finished 19th at last week’s England Girls U-16s, birdied the last to edge out Ciara, who was a shot further ahead of Eve.
“My goal was to finish in the top five,” said Amy. “I wanted to justify my place in the England East regional developmental squad.
“And in the second round I just wanted to stay in it and keep up with the others. I knew there were holes I could birdie and it really paid off.
“Also the important putts dropped and at times it did feel like everything was going in from 20 feet and under.”
Her wedges were also pretty impressive especially at the par five fourth in round one. Having just missed the green left with a six iron, she chipped in for eagle. That helped post a first round 73 and leave herself one behind Eve and one ahead of Ciara.
In the afternoon the lead swapped hands a few times but a chip-in par at the tenth for Amy was a huge momentum moment and she stayed patient while those around her lost ground in the closing stages.