John Paterson is relishing the challenge of links golf by Scottish waters again as he gets set for quarter-final action in the Amateur Championship at Nairn tomorrow.
A 19th-hole triumph in round two of the matchplay against England’s Rory Browne this morning was followed swiftly by a 3&2 win over Josef Hacker (La Moye, Jersey).
That means he and Nairn’s Calum Scott fly the flag for Scotland in the last eight.
Paterson starts the quarter-final action at 8.15am tomorrow against England’s Monty Scowsill before Scott faces Welshman James Ashfield, the 2019 Scottish Boys’ Amateur champion, 15 minutes later.
Challenging, but fun at the same time
New Club St Andrews member Paterson has just returned from studying in the United States and is enjoying this run to the penultimate day, at least.
He said: “I’ve played links golf my whole life really, so it’s been nice getting back into the swing of things after coming back from college in America (University of Colorado).
“I’ve been getting used to shots like coming out of the rough and trying to pitch it short of the pin. It’s less like target golf.
“It’s been a challenge, but it’s been fun as you can be a little bit more creative and I enjoy doing that.
“I played well today. I made a lot of birdies and putts. If you can do that and limit the number of holes you give your competitor, then great.”
Paterson felt edging out Browne gave him extra belief going into his third round clash against Hacker.
He explained: “This morning gave me a lot of confidence going into the afternoon. I had a good finish winning 18 to take it down 19 and then birdied 19 in the wind.
“Being able to close that match out, knowing I can do it, is always a good thing to have in the back of my mind.
“I’m not dreaming yet, it’s one game at a time. I’m just trying to hit the fairway on the first hole tomorrow morning – that’s all I’m thinking about.”
Players all set for quarter and semis at Nairn
The Amateur Championship quarter-finals and semi-finals take place tomorrow, with the 36-hole final starting on Saturday morning.
Saturday’s final will air live on The R&A’s YouTube and Facebook channels as well as RandA.org
🏴 | Scots duo Calum Scott and John Paterson are through to the Quarter Finals at #TheAmateur 👏
Scott will take on 2019 Scottish Boys’ Open Champion, James Ashfield.
Paterson faces England’s Monty Scowsill. pic.twitter.com/ItJef0A4Fl
— Scottish Golf (@ScottishGolf) June 17, 2021
The champion will receive exemptions to The Open Championship and the US Open, as well as – traditionally – an invitation to the Masters Tournament and a place at a European Tour event.
For the latest matchplay results and fixtures, see here.
