GOLF | Stunning performance sees Rafferty take qualifier prize at British Amateur Championship

Dundalk golfer breaks course record with 10 under par 62

Dundalk Golf Club’s Caolan Rafferty enjoyed a memorable day at on Tuesday, shooting a 10-under par 62 that broke the course record at Prince’s and ensured him the leading qualifier prize at the British Amateur Championship.

Rafferty went into Monday level on par with a fine score of 70 at Royal St George’s 24 hours earlier and played a blistering round of golf that saw him equal the second lowest ever qualifying round in the British Amateur.

The 25-year-old started to gain momentum with an eagle at the par five second and reached the turnaround six-under-par before going on a superb run from the 10th hole, shooting five birdies in six holes.

Back-to-back pars on 16 and 17 kept him on course to top qualifying and he could even afford to bogey the last and still lead the charge with a magnificent 62.

“The wind was up today but everyone knows back home that I love the wind and playing links golf in the wind suits me right down to the ground,” said Rafferty.

“It might be a bit of a graft when it comes to getting a score out of it but today I just kept hitting it to 10 to 12 feet and I couldn’t miss it.

“It’s nice to know that I am the leading qualifier in this field. The players are the best of the best. They are the closest thing to professionals that we are going to see. To come out on top is always nice.”

Rafferty will face Frenchman David Ravetto when the matchplay phase commences on Wednesday morning at 9.15am at Royal St George.

“Match play is a funny game,” he said. “You can play really poorly and win a match or you can play really well and lose a match.

“You just have to take it one step at a time in match play and not get down about it. I enjoy match play so I’m looking forward to it.”