Nelson and Heath lead the way at The R&A Senior Amateur Championship
The R&A
07 Jul 26
4 mins
Danny Nelson of the United States and Australia’s Richard Heath enjoy a share of the lead after the opening round of The R&A Senior Amateur Championship at Frilford Heath.
The leading duo recorded matching five-under-par 67s on the Blue Course at the Oxfordshire venue, putting them one stroke clear of defending champion John Kennedy, who returned a four-under-par 68.In the Women’s Senior Amateur Championship, a four-way tie sits at the top of the leaderboard. Canada’s Shelly Stouffer, 2019 champion Lara Tennant of the United States, England’s Elaine Ratcliffe, and Wales Golf President Julie Thomas all opened with rounds of two-over par.Nelson is making his fourth consecutive Senior Amateur appearance, while Heath is making his championship debut after celebrating his 55th birthday in May.
Nelson setting the pace
Nelson, a native of Savannah, Georgia, reached six-under-par for the day after recording his third consecutive birdie on the 17th hole, before dropping a stroke with a bogey at the last.“I didn’t make many mistakes today and I took my chances when I got them,” said the 64-year-old. “I putted well when I had to.”Nelson finished tied second at Walton Heath last year, seven strokes behind Kennedy.“I’ve been playing well at home recently. I shot 65 in US Senior Open Qualifying last week, so I came here with confidence,” added Nelson, who led the qualifying field at Stillwater Golf & Country Club in Florida by six shots.“This is my fourth straight year here and I’ve loved every one. I’d love to win this tournament but I’m taking nothing for granted. I never do in this game.”Heath, a sports management consultant, is also keeping his expectations in check.“I turned 55 on 6 May so I’ve been really looking forward to this tournament,” said Heath, who was born in Canberra but has resided in Switzerland for the past 20 years.“I kept the ball in play, but I got lucky with a couple of chips that went in the hole [at the 3rd and 15th]. That made a big difference because I wasn’t striking the ball particularly well with my irons.”The championship is providing a welcome distraction for Heath, who is currently studying for a Master’s degree in Major Programme Management at the nearby University of Oxford.
Elite field tightly bunched
Ratcliffe is another player making her Senior Amateur debut. The 53-year-old former Curtis Cup player and captain is well-versed in major amateur competition, but admitted to some surprise at sharing the opening-round lead despite winning the English Senior Women’s Amateur Championship in May. She carded a two-over-par 76 on the Red Course.“I had no expectations because this is all new to me,” Ratcliffe said. “I’m really pleased because I’m not playing a lot of competitive golf. This is only my second event as a senior.”Tennant, who lifted the trophy at Royal St David’s seven years ago, carded a 74 on the Blue Course, aided by three consecutive birdies from the 3rd hole.“I just tried to play as conservatively as I could because it’s a very difficult golf course,” said the 59-year-old. “It’s a course where you have to think on every shot.”Thomas, who assumed the role of President of Wales Golf in April, successfully balanced her executive duties with competitive play, returning a 76 on the Red Course.“I’m in the mix and happy to be there because I’m trying to split my time between being President of Wales Golf and playing a bit of competitive golf, so I’ve got the best of both worlds,” Thomas said.Stouffer, the 2022 US Senior Women’s Amateur champion, is making her second appearance in the event after finishing ninth at Walton Heath last year. She returned a 74 on the Blue Course.“Today was a bit of a struggle because it was challenging out there,” Stouffer said. “The ground is so firm and it was a bit windy. I try not to have any expectations but, on my bucket list, I’d like to win this tournament.”
