John Gough’s stunning run of victories has continued with a dramatic triumph in the Lytham Trophy.
The 23-year-old England men’s squad player took the prestigious title by a single shot from Scotland’s
Connor Graham after closing the 72-hole stroke play event with a round of 70 for a winning total of level par.
Gough’s England colleague,
Ben Quinney from Kent, finished third with a closing total of +3.
For Gough, the latest piece of silverware will be in good company alongside the English Men’s Amateur trophy won last year at Moortown Golf Club and the prize from the Spanish Amateur Championship following victory in that event in March.
Gough took the plaudits at the 56th staging of the event at Royal Lytham and St Anne’s Golf Club with an excellent display on one of the country’s toughest links venues to edge out the 15-year-old Scot.
It was a brave effort from Gough to get over the line.
Rounds of 67, 70, 73 around the par 70 Open Championship course meant the golfer from BB&O was tied for the lead with Ireland’s Eoin Morgan heading into the final 18.
Gough soon edged ahead of his rivals with birdies at the second, seventh, ninth and 12th holes.
There then followed a wobble on the back nine with three consecutive bogeys from the 14th leaving him tied with Graham who had posted the clubhouse lead on +1.
However, a birdie on 17 pushed Gough ahead once more and a par at the famous finishing hole – the scene of Open victories for legends such as Tony Jacklin, Gary Player, Seve Ballesteros and Ernie Els – allowed the Englishman to claim one of the biggest prizes in amateur golf.
Ultimately, Gough’s experience gained from closing out top tournaments in the last year told down the home stretch.
In an international field, Gough becomes the fifth English winner in succession following in the footsteps of Josh McMahon, Matthew Jordan, Jack Singh Brar and Alfie Plant
ABOUT THE
Lytham Trophy
In the early 1960s some of the senior
Members
of the Royal Lytham & St. Annes Golf Club felt
that there was a gap in the amateur golfing
calendar and the need for a major 72 hole
scratch competition. Help was given by the
English Golf Union to launch the event and to
select entrants. The Scottish, Irish, Welsh and
County Unions and various eminent players
were approached for their support. All gave it
willingly and so was born the Lytham Trophy.
It is held each year over the Bank Holiday
Weekend at the beginning of May. It is now
played solely at Royal Lytham with one round
being played on the Friday and Saturday and
the final two rounds, for those that have made
the cut, on the Sunday.
Every winner takes away a replica for the
handsome "Sputnick" trophy which was
donated by Members subscriptions. All have
been international golfers of the highest
quality
and many have gone on to be successful
Professionals.
The entry is now of the highest calibre from
all
parts of the UK and Eire and in recent years
from all over Europe.
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