Preston Summerhays takes the lead at European Amateur in dramatic moving day
Preston Summerhays (European Golf Association Photo)
The moving day of the 2024 European Amateur Championship saw a new course record, a heavy thunderstorm, and the number-one ranked player in the field re-take the lead.
Preston Summerhays came out on top at the end of a dramatic day in Denmark. The early starters were able to take advantage of reasonably calm conditions, but strong winds picked up late in the afternoon.
Summerhays is the highest-ranked player in the field, ranked No. 12 in the Golfweek/AmateurGolf.com World Rankings.
Ireland’s Liam Nolan was one of those earlier starters, making nine birdies in a spectacular round of 7-under 65 to set a new course record and move to 4-under-par for the tournament. Nolan’s round, which was interrupted by a 90-minute suspension of play due to lightning, moved the former Brabazon Trophy winner up 47 positions on the leaderboard and into a tie for 7th.
Shortly after Nolan had finished his round, strong winds picked up at The Scandinavian, leaving much trickier conditions for those starting the day near the lead.
Of those entering Round three in the top 10, no one was able to break par, meaning Summerhays’ round of even par 72, which finished with two consecutive birdies, was enough to re-take the lead he held after day one. The Arizona State player would become the first American to win the championship should he come out on top in the final round.
The advantageous conditions for those playing early and difficult conditions late have led to a bunched top end of the leaderboard. No less than 15 players are within just 3 strokes or less of the leader and will have a strong chance to take home the trophy on Saturday afternoon.
Five players are just one shot back on 5-under-par. Among them is Sweden’s Daniel Svärd, who will join Summerhays in the final pairing on Saturday after a four-under-par round of 4-under 68 on Friday.
Charlie Forster, Alfons Bondesson, Santiago De La Fuente, and 36-hole leader Tim Wiedemeyer will also start Saturday’s final round just one shot behind the lead.
Five players are two shots back in a tie for 7th place on four-under-par, including The Amateur champion and leading home hopeful Jacob Skov Olesen. A member of The Scandinavian, the Dane will look to leverage home advantage on Saturday to become the first-ever player to win The Amateur and European Amateur Championships back-to-back.
Defending champion Jose Luis Ballester may have left himself slightly too much to do in the final round for a second consecutive title, sitting at -1 and in a tie for 21st.
The championship is poised for an exciting finish, with the European Amateur title and an invite to the 152nd Open on the line.
ABOUT THE European Amateur
The premier championship in
Europe,
conducted by the European Golf
Association,
which is comprised of 38 member
countries. 72
hole stroke play format. After 54 holes the field is cut
to the leading 60 players and ties. The winner earns
a spot in the British Open.
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