13/06/10
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Craig Watson remains on track for his second Scottish Mid Amateur Championship title, an incredible 14 years since his maiden victory after sealing his semi-final place at home club East Renfrewshire today.
Fresh off the back of leading his Renfrewshire side to the final of the Moneygate Scottish Area Team Championship at Kinross, Watson edged out Robert Jenkins (Crow Wood) at the 1st extra hole before a comfortable 4&2 victory over Andrew McKay (Balmore).
Watson who was 3 under par in his quarter final victory over McKay will now face Royal Troon’s Paul Moutrie in the semi-finals after the Ayrshireman defeated Michael Grunwell 2&1 in the afternoon quarter finals. Grunwell had earlier knocked out 2008 champion Ross Coull (Edzell) in Sunday morning's last 16.
Moutrie, who was 2 under par for 17 holes in his victory over Grunwell will go into tomorrow’s semi finals as the lowest handicapped player left in the tournament at +1.9.
The upset of the day was provided by New Zealander Scott Ritchie, playing in the tournament for the first time, who defeated the top seed Paul Alexander (Caldwell) by 1 hole. Ritchie sparked a terrific comeback with a magnificent eagle 3 on the par 5 eighth and playing the final 10 holes in 5 under par was too strong for the impressive Alexander whose 3 putt bogey on the final hole provided a disappointing end to a very successful weekend for the Renfrewshire player.
Ritchie’s reward is a semi-final tie with Ballochmyle’s Craig Hamilton who after a 4&3 victory over Garry Duncan (Carnoustie Caledonia) in this morning’s last 16, overcame North of England’s Ben Renfrew (Wynyard) in another exciting battle, like Ritchie coming from behind to win by 1 hole.
Hamilton, 2 down at the turn, turned the match on it’s head with a birdie blitz at the 10th, 12th and 13th to level the match, a further birdie at 14 wasn’t enough to move ahead though as Renfrew responded with an exceptional eagle to edge back in front. However two bogeys in the final three holes from Renfrew allowed Hamilton to clinch a last four place.
Monday’s semi-finals commence at 8.15am with the Ritchie versus Hamilton match, whilst Watson goes head to head with Moutrie at 8.30am. The final of the Scottish Mid Amateur Championship starts at 12.45pm on the East Renfrewshire course.