NEWS

News Release 17 May 2006

INTERNATIONAL ENTRY FOR ST ANDREWS LINKS

Won Joon Lee, Nigel Edwards, Stephen Dartnall and Oliver Fisher, respectively second to fifth in the unofficial world amateur rankings head a top class field in the St Andrews Links Trophy sponsored by Burberry to be played over the Old Course and New Course from Friday 9 to Sunday 11 June.

Lee, one of the talented crop of Australian youngsters has had an outstanding year so far with wins in the New South Wales Medal and the New South Wales Amateur, the first player to win both in the same year, and a second place in the South African Amateur.

Dartnall, his countryman, is one of nine Australians who include Tim Stewart, the Australian Amateur Champion and Andrew Martin, their former national champion and the winner this year of the SAGA International.

Players from 17 countries are included in the field of 144 with the ‘axe’ falling at handicaps of +1.7.

Since 1989, the year the ‘Links’ was first played, the Trophy has stayed firmly in the British Isles with its only overseas trip occurring in the second year when Stuart Bouvier of Australia claimed the title.  If past form is anything to go by, it is likely that the trophy will stay in one of the four Home Countries. Players from these countries have already shown impressive early season form.

English elite squad member Jamie Moul recently won the Lytham Trophy while David Horsey lifted the West of England title.  Earlier in the year, Oliver Fisher, who last year became the youngest ever Walker Cup player, finished runner-up to South African Branden Grace in their stroke play championship, just ahead of Horsey in third place.

2004 Scottish Champion George Murray has also declared his intentions with three first class results already under his belt.  He kicked off by winning the Champion of Champions at Leven, narrowly lost to Jamie Moul in a play-off at Lytham and took third place in the Irish Open Amateur last weekend at Portmarnock.

Defending Champion Lloyd Saltman had an outstanding year in 2005, highlighted by his winning the Silver Medal in The Open at St Andrews.  It will be difficult for him to match last year’s record.  A tie for third place at Lytham and playing all four rounds in the British Masters at the Belfry perhaps indicates that his form is coming back at just the right time.

Nowadays, youngsters tend to dominate amateur golf.  However Welsh stalwart Nigel Edwards, now well into his 30’s goes from strength to strength.  Already this year he has had an outstanding win in the South African Amateur, beating Won Joon Lee in the final plus a win in the Copa del Jerez.

Competitors play 18 holes over the New Course on Friday 9 June, 18 holes over The Old Course on Saturday 10 June and the top 40 and ties play a further 36 holes on the Old Course on Sunday 11 June.

Ends.

Media contact

Mike Woodcock
Communications Manager
St Andrews Links Trust
01334 466610

E-mail mikewoodcock@standrews.org.uk

Further information:

Niall Flanagan
Secretary to the Organising Committee
St Andrews
Tel: (44) 1334 466666