Lytham Trophy: Kinhult battles conditions to lead by five
Marcus Kinhult
LYTHAM SAINT ANNES, England — Tough playing conditions met Lytham Trophy contestants on day two as cold temperatures, high winds, and rain were present for the tournament's second round.
One of four first round leaders, junior golfer Marcus Kinhult of Sweden, posted his second straight round in the 60s to break away from the pack and take a five-shot lead into the third and fourth rounds. Kinhult is fresh off his victory in the United States at the Junior Invitational at Sage Valley.
After opening with 68, Kinhult carded 69 at Royal Lytham & St. Annes while the three other first-round co-leaders shot 74 or over. Cormac Sharvin, of Northern Ireland, was the second best of the group, shooting 74 to sit in solo second place. Richard James and Oliver James Farrell are tied for third place at four-over 144.
Notable players in the field include Scotland's Bradley Neil, the reigning British Amateur champion and 2015 Masters participant. He posted 71-76 in his first two rounds and is tied for tenth along with Ireland's Gary Hurley.
Neil described the conditions on Saturday at Royal Lytham as "brutal." Winds blew between 15-25 miles per hour, with rain persisting throughout the day and temperatures refusing to climb over 50 degrees.
The cut fell at 11-over, with 50 players sitting at the number or below. Rounds three and four will be contested on Sunday, with Walker Cup decisions on the line on England's west coast.
ABOUT THE
Lytham Trophy
In the early 1960s some of the senior
Members
of the Royal Lytham & St. Annes Golf Club felt
that there was a gap in the amateur golfing
calendar and the need for a major 72 hole
scratch competition. Help was given by the
English Golf Union to launch the event and to
select entrants. The Scottish, Irish, Welsh and
County Unions and various eminent players
were approached for their support. All gave it
willingly and so was born the Lytham Trophy.
It is held each year over the Bank Holiday
Weekend at the beginning of May. It is now
played solely at Royal Lytham with one round
being played on the Friday and Saturday and
the final two rounds, for those that have made
the cut, on the Sunday.
Every winner takes away a replica for the
handsome "Sputnick" trophy which was
donated by Members subscriptions. All have
been international golfers of the highest
quality
and many have gone on to be successful
Professionals.
The entry is now of the highest calibre from
all
parts of the UK and Eire and in recent years
from all over Europe.
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