Paisley leads way in Arcot strokeplay

Jun 22 2009 by Tim Taylor, The Journal

CHRIS Paisley’s chances of winning his second Northumberland county title were enhanced when he led home the strokeplay qualifying field at Arcot Hall as two of his main rivals fell by the wayside.

The remaining 16 will return to Arcot for the start of the matchplay stages on Wednesday without last year’s champion, Mark Penny of Morpeth, and The Journal Champion of Champions, City of Newcastle’s Simon Lee.

Bellingham’s Will Robson, runner-up in the 2007 Champions, squeezed in as the last qualifier on 146, shooting 77 69, with Penny one shot adrift after signing for 71 76 and Lee missing out on 149 (74 75). Stocksfield’s Paisley, last year’s English Amateur finalist and one of the world’s top 20 amateurs, shot 67 68 for a five-under total of 135.

ITALIAN Matteo Manassero has become easily the youngest player to win the British Amateur Championship, beating England’s Sam Hutsby 4&3 in the 36-hole final.

At 16 years, two months, 62 days, he surpassed the previous record of 18 years and one month. He also becomes the first Italian to win the Championship in its 124-year history and only the third man to win the title having led the strokeplay qualifying.

“I never imagined once that I could win this tournament; I’m shocked. It’s unbelievable,” said Manassero, from Verona, who finished 19th at last month’s Italian Open.

“I think everyone in Italy knows about it already, and I hope it helps with amateur golf there. To be the first Italian, wow, that is something very special.”

Manassero will now accept invitations to The Open Championship at Turnberry next month and the 2010 Augusta Masters.