Sweden surprised under windy conditions
England, Scotland and Ireland – all used to play under windy conditions – and Sweden as little bit of a surprise. The first day of the 2019 European Amateur Team Championship at a windy Ljunghusen GC in the south of Sweden was almost as expected.
The course of Ljunghusen GC is said to be pretty easy when no wind, but something completely different when windy – as the first day of the men’s team championship.
The national flags at the practising green stood strong and straight as the guard squad at Buckingham Palace in London from early in the morning.
Maybe it was a sign in the sky because the English team played both steady and well – and Tom Sloman shot 67 (-5) – and contributed massive to the English divided lead after the first day, together with Ireland who came on strongly during the late afternoon. Both landed on 351 strokes.
- It was okay, but I had three pair of three puts. It is four more days to go, so I have time to do better, James Sugrue, Ireland, and winner of the 2019 British Amateur Championship, said after signing his score card in the recording area.
Scotland was in the lead for several hours, Euan Walker, shooting 67, saying:
- It was a strong wind today which made it challenging out there. It is a good pace on the greens, I don´t want them any faster.
Sweden, divided third together with Scotland, two strokes after England and Ireland, could be considered the ”cat among the stoats”, with college players unused playing under very windy conditions – except the home player and Ljunghusen GC member Albin Bergström. David Nyfjäll, who shot 68 (-4) explained, with the team’s flags on parade in the strong wind from west behind him.
- The wind affects the course a lot. Hole five is a par four and I hit a drive and a four iron today, hole six is a par five and I hit a drive and a sandwedge with the wind in my back, the Swede, who made a bogey on five and an eagle on six, said.
The Swedish coach Jonnie Eriksson turned 46 today. He was pleased with the ”present” the team gave him:
- The boys sticked to our game plan and didn´t give away any shots, so I am very pleased with today’s performance. How I will celebrate? Analyse todays rounds with the team and prepare for tomorrows rounds…
Best round of the day was 66, shot by Clément Charmasson, France. An impressive round but still four to go to beat Luke Donalds course record (63) from 2001 European Amateur Team Championship.
Thomas Björn
Press Officer