Final showdown set at British Amateur
BY Anthony Powter | European Amateur Tour | 2006 British Amateur Championship | Round Four | 24 Jun 2006
Despite fighting back after being four down after nine holes, Mitchell Brown was knocked out in the semi-finals of the British Amateur Championship early this morning by France’s number one amateur, Julien Guerrier. The Frenchman is set to play Adam Gee from England, after this year’s Lake Macquarie Amateur Champion disposed of fellow National Elite Squad member, Jamie Moul 5 & 4 in the other semi-final.
Brown’s semi-final match was closer than the 3 & 2 result suggests. The Australian’s chances of getting a flying start early in the match were dampened when Guerrier blasted out of the blocks with two birdies and an eagle on the front nine. At the turn Brown’s game started to come together as he won three holes in succession to only be one down. The fate of the match was secured for the Frenchman when an uncharacteristic wayward drive from Brown on the 14th hole sailed out of bounds and with it Brown’s chances for making the British Amateur Final.
The other semi-final was a more one sided affair. Gee dominated the match from the beginning over Moul, with whom he shared a rented house for this week’s Championship. Gee commented after the win the peculiar feeling to play against his room mate of many international events, for their own national amateur Championship. You can be sure the same feeling will not be present when he plays tomorrow against a Frenchman; traditional sporting foes of the British.
Guerrier, aged 20, made the third round of the British Amateur last year and for both Guerrier and Gee, the 36 hole final represents their biggest amateur achievement to date.
For the victor claiming the British Amateur Championship, come the spoils. Invitations to both this year’s British Open and The Masters, as well as the claim of winning one of the most sought after and oldest amateur championships in the world. You can also sense the opening to a professional career will follow, more likely for Gee who at 25, has considerable amateur experience having played the American Collegiate system and numerous international test matches for England.
Photo – Anthony Powter
