MCKENZIE WINS SPANISH AMATEUR

Hampshire’s Billy McKenzie beat Yorkshire’s Alex Fitzpatrick 3&2 to win the Spanish Amateur at La Manga.

The 23-year-old from Rowlands Castle only just scraped into the match play stages, taking the last of the 32 spots following the 36-hole stroke play qualifying. It was easy going in the match play stages, with narrow wins over England international Jake Burnage in the first round, and Jiri Zuska in the quarters, before he dispatched Spain’s Coto Lopez-Chacarra 5&4 in the semis.

McKenzie was three up on Fitzpatick after the opening 18 holes of the final, and was six up after 22, before being begged back to two by the 32nd. However, the Hampshire player won the 33rd hole to take the title.

“I wanted a decent result to start the season, and felt that getting to the last 16 would be acceptable,” said McKenzie. “After that, I just freed up and played it one game at a time and it became, if not easier, but less pressured. To win one of these big match play events is a dream come true.”

McKenzie is continuing a strong tradition of Hampshire golfers to add the Spanish Amateur to their CVs, starting with Justin Rose, and including the most recent two champions, Scott Gregory and Harry Ellis.