FORMAT: 72-hole stroke play
A host of the country’s leading juniors made a major move on day two of the England Boys Championship (Carris) at Bristol & Clifton today.
At the start of the today’s play Surrey-based Italian Riccardo Fantinelli was four shots clear after an opening-day 63 (-7) but his lead evaporated as a clutch leading lights showed their class while he managed a level-par 70.
Leading the charge was recently-crowned England U-16s champion Harley Smith (The Rayleigh Club), who joined Fantinelli on seven under with a stunning eagle at the 16th. The Essex player holed a nine iron from 140 yards on his way to a 66, which was the best round of the day.
“It was a tough pin back right and I had 140 to the pin,” said the England Boys squad member.
“I thought ‘if I could hold up a nine-iron from the sloping fairway’ – and I hit it really nice just right of the pin. I didn’t even see it – I just heard clapping and I just assumed it was in.”
Woburn’s Ben Loveard matched the score of his England teammate to jump into fifth overall. The BB&O star racked up seven birdies as he got himself to three under for the tournament.
Four players shot 67s, led by Scottish ace Daniel Bullen, who registered his second of the week to move within one of the leaders. he took advantage of the short par four 15th in superb style to bag himself an eagle. After a poor start – he was two over after three – it was just what he needed and it was sandwiched by a couple of birdies which gave him the springboard for another excellent day.
A shot further back on five under is another Scot – the hugely-talented Calum Scott, who made more serene progress in compiling his 67. There would be just one bogey for the Nairn golfer.
Just five shots separate the top ten and another player four back is Hertfordshire County champion Reis Suart, who charged through the field on his back nine to record a 67, a score matched by the talented Yorkshireman Thomas Pyman, who enjoyed a blistering finish. Four birdies in his last five holes leaves The Oaks player five shots off the pace.
Also on -2 is Worcestershire’s Hugh Adams (Hagley), who played his inward nine in four under after starting on the tenth.
The top 60 and ties made it through to tomorrow’s third round with the cut mark coming at six over.