Jordan Smith wins Hampshire Hog
England's Jordan Smith compiled rounds of 69 and 67 to win the prestigious Hampshire Hog by one shot from Harry Ellis at North Hants Golf Club on Sunday
England's Jordan Smith compiled rounds of 69 and 67 to win the prestigious Hampshire Hog by one shot from Harry Ellis at North Hants Golf Club on Sunday.
The 20-year-old from Bowood Golf Club's achievement was even more impressive given he was making his debut in the amateur tournament.
He started with a solid 69 in the morning round - which included an eagle at the par-5 17th - to sit two shots behind Huddersfield's Nick Marsh, who opened with a 67. Only nine sub-par scores were recorded over the first 18 holes.
Scoring improved in the afternoon despite windier conditions, but Smith, starting on the 10th hole, could only muster a level-par front nine.
He rallied after the turn, though, and came home in 32 to take the clubhouse lead on 136 (-4).
Defending champion Callum Shinkwin, playing in the group behind, shot a course-record 65, but an opening 73 saw him finish alongside Josh White and Jack Hiluta on 138 (-2).
Highly rated Hampshire golfer Harry Ellis, 17, finished alone in second place on 137 (-3). A costly double at the par-4 14th put paid to his chances of becoming Hampshire's first winner since Justin Rose in 1995.
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"It feels great to win the Hampshire Hog as this is the first big tournament that I've won this year," said Smith, who couldn't practice before the event due to injury.
"It is special to follow in the footsteps of people like Justin Rose and Sandy Lyle who have won this trophy.
"It's been a great start to the year and I'll be trying my hardest to make the Walker Cup. That would be awesome."
Shinkwin, currently ranked 12th in the World Amateur Ranking, won the Hampshire Salver, awarded to the best aggregate score from Saturday's Selbourne Salver at Blackmoor Golf Club and Sunday's Hampshire Hog.
Enfield's Harry Casey shot consecutive rounds of 66 to win the Selborne Salver. Hampshire Hog leading scores - Par 70
1) Jordan Smith - 69-67 = 136 2) Harry Ellis - 69-68 = 137 3) Callum Shinkwin - 73-65 = 138 (countback) 4) Josh White - 71-67 = 138 (countback) 5) Jack Hiluta - 69-69 = 138
Nick Bonfield joined Golf Monthly in 2012 after graduating from Exeter University and earning an NCTJ-accredited journalism diploma from News Associates in Wimbledon. He is responsible for managing production of the magazine, sub-editing, writing, commissioning and coordinating all features across print and online. Most of his online work is opinion-based and typically centres around the Majors and significant events in the global golfing calendar. Nick has been an avid golf fan since the age of ten and became obsessed with the professional game after watching Mike Weir and Shaun Micheel win The Masters and PGA Championship respectively in 2003. In his time with Golf Monthly, he's interviewed the likes of Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Jose Maria Olazabal, Henrik Stenson, Padraig Harrington, Lee Westwood and Billy Horschel and has ghost-written columns for Westwood, Wayne Riley, Matthew Southgate, Chris Wood and Eddie Pepperell. Nick is a 12-handicap golfer and his favourite courses include Old Head, Sunningdale New, Penha Longha, Valderrama and Bearwood Lakes. If you have a feature pitch for Nick, please email nick.bonfield@futurenet.com with 'Pitch' in the subject line. Nick is currently playing: Driver: TaylorMade M1 Fairway wood: TaylorMade RBZ Stage 2 Hybrid: Ping Crossover Irons (4-9): Nike Vapor Speed Wedges: Cleveland CBX Full Face, 56˚, Titleist Vokey SM4, 60˚ Putter: testing in progress! Ball: TaylorMade TP5x
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