2023 Triple A World Final Winner, Richard Teder from Estonia has made it to the quarter-finals of The Amateur Championship!
Let’s take a look at the latest updates from the competition:
Alex Maguire, hailing from Ireland, displayed remarkable skill and determination as he advanced to the quarter-finals of The 128th Amateur Championship held at Hillside. In a thrilling encounter against Portugal’s Daniel Rodrigues, Maguire emerged victorious at the 23rd hole, leaving spectators in awe of his performance.
On an eventful day filled with intense matches in the last-32 and last-16 rounds, Maguire showcased his championship potential with an impressive triumph. Despite facing bunker troubles at the 17th hole that seemed to dash his hopes, the 22-year-old rallied back from the edge of defeat and secured a hard-fought victory at the fifth extra hole. Building on his success as a semi-finalist at Royal Lytham & St Annes just a year ago, Maguire has carried forward the winning form that recently led him to triumph at the St Andrews Links Trophy.
Reflecting on his exhilarating match, Maguire expressed, “As I approached the par-3 on the 22nd hole, my legs felt weak, but it was an absolutely amazing contest. Daniel played exceptionally well, and I matched him shot for shot on numerous occasions. The outcome could have swung either way, but I’m delighted that fortune favored me.”
Maguire emphasized the importance of consistency and staying focused on the present, stating, “I don’t intend to alter my approach simply because I’m performing well. It’s all about remaining in the moment and fully committing to each shot’s process.”
Meanwhile, 18-year-old Estonian talent Richard Teder continued his extraordinary journey at Hillside, securing a spot in the quarter-finals. Teder’s week of dreams included eliminating last year’s semi-finalist and the top-ranked Great Britain and Ireland player, John Gough, by a single hole. In his last-16 clash against American Tommy Morrison, the pair engaged in a high-quality match featuring ten birdies in the opening 11 holes. Eventually, Teder triumphed over the Texan at the first extra hole.
Richard Teder, 2023 winner of the Triple A World Junior Golf Series Final on the first tee at The San Roque Club, Old Course.
South African Christo Lamprecht, the highest-ranked player in the tournament, maintained his exceptional form to advance to the quarter-finals. Ranked sixth in the World Amateur Golf Ranking® (WAGR®) and a recent competitor in the Arnold Palmer Cup, the 22-year-old secured a 2&1 victory over Sweden’s Adam Wallin, aiming to follow in the footsteps of South Africa’s Aldrich Potgieter, last year’s champion.
Delighted with his performance, Lamprecht shared, “I feel like I’ve been playing exceptional golf. I’m pleased with how I conduct myself on the course and adapt my game accordingly. It’s a fantastic experience to be here. While my experience gives me a slight edge, match play is about competing against the person beside you, regardless of their ranking or past achievements. Once you step onto the tee, you’re equals.”
England’s Frank Kennedy displayed a moment of brilliance when he eagled the 14th hole with his second shot on the way to a narrow last-16 victory over Irishman Marc Boucher. The 17-year-old, who previously won the Lytham Trophy in April, kept hopes of a home victory alive by securing a place in the quarter-finals, relying on his five birdies throughout the match.
Switzerland’s Max Schliesing was the first to secure his place in the upcoming matches, defeating Wales’ Caolan Burford 3&2 with two birdies in the opening five holes. His compatriot, Ronan Kleu, also progressed to the last-eight stage, as both Swiss players aimed to become the first from their nation to claim The Amateur title. Kleu, who finished in a tie for second in stroke play qualifying, secured a comfortable 5&3 win over Frenchman Clement Charmasson.
Expressing his delight at having two Swiss players in the quarter-finals, Kleu said, “It’s truly awesome to see two Swiss players among the final eight. We travel as a team, and now, one-quarter of the remaining participants are Swiss. I’m immensely proud of this achievement, and it’s an honor to represent Switzerland. I believe my approach play and putting have been crucial. I’ve dedicated a lot of time to improving my putting in recent weeks, and my strong approach shots have always been a strength of mine. Hillside demands precision in second shots, and I’ve delivered.”
Thailand’s TK Chantananuwat, the 16-year-old who finished as the runner-up in the R&A Junior Open last summer, also shone in the golfing haven of England’s north-west. After defeating Ireland’s Caolan Rafferty 2&1 in the morning, Chantananuwat secured a spot in the quarter-finals with a 3&2 triumph over England’s William Hopkins.
Speaking about his performance, TK highlighted the value of patience, saying, “I remained incredibly patient throughout. Regardless of tomorrow’s outcome, I’ve learned an invaluable lesson this week, and that is the power of patience. Honestly, without patience, I would have missed the cut after the very first round. I could have easily shot close to 80. When I’m tired, I remind myself that the other player is tired too. The second round of golf today was quite different from the first round. From the 19th to the 36th hole, it was a unique experience for all of us.”
Completing the quarter-final lineup is Sweden’s Tobias Jonsson, who ousted Joshua Greer 2&1. Greer, having previously won an all-Australian match against Jasper Stubbs, aimed to emulate compatriot Bryden Macpherson, the last champion of The Amateur at Hillside in 2011. However, Jonsson’s birdies on the 12th and 14th holes paved the way for his victory.
The stage is set for an enthralling continuation of The Amateur Championship at Hillside, as the remaining competitors strive for golfing glory.
To find out more about the WAGR/EGR ranked Triple A World Junior Golf Series, click here.
Richard Teder, Winner of the 2023 Triple A World Junior Golf Series, organised by the Jason Floyd Golf Academy.
