Adam Dunton played what he described as the best shot of his career to steer him to a notable victory in the second round of the Amateur Championship at Royal Cinque Ports on the Kent coast.
The 23-year-old plus three handicapper from McDonald Golf club, Ellon, Aberdeenshire, played a spectacular chip shot out of thick rough at the side of the 16th green to within a foot of the pin to grab a vital lead against the talented Orlando-based Charlie Bull and he won the next to go through 2&1.
“That was definitely the best up and down I have ever had and I confidently say it was my best-ever shot just at the right time too,” Dunton said.
It had been nip and tuck, with Dunton’s putting keeping him very much in the game.
“I found the rough too often but regularly got out of trouble with my putting once I got the pace of the greens which could be difficult” said Dunton.
He now faces Englishman Neil Raymond, who will be bidding for a third successive Brabazon Trophy triumph next week.
Scottish champion Grant Forrest celebrated his 20th birthday by reaching the third round with a 2&1 victory over Australian Callan O’Reilly on a day when thunderstorms caused a three-hour delay.
Forrest, from Craigielaw, was two up after 10 holes but then lost two in a row to be brought back to level.
A winning par three at the short 14th put him one up again, then he took the 17th for the match. He now takes on Finland’s Toni Hakula who had to go to the last to dispose of Niclas Carlsson of Sweden.
Glenbervie’s Graeme Robertson who had impressive in qualifying surprisingly went down 4&2 to Wentworth’s Tom Berry.