Ben Sessions shoots course record 63 at Luffenham Heath to lead English Boys Open Amateur Championship at halfway stage
Bishop’s Stortford’s Ben Sessions broke a course record that had stood for 35 years as he shot a 63 to lead at the halfway stage of the English Boys Open Amateur Championship.
The Bishop’s Stortford Golf Club member fired an eagle and five birdies in his bogey-free second round on the par 70 at Luffenham Heath in Rutland to close on nine under after shooting a two-under 68 in round one in pursuit of the Carris Trophy.
“I mean, it was pretty special to be honest,” said the 17-year-old, who attends The Bishop’s Stortford High School.
“My approach shots were really good and that helped massively. I missed some putts, but it’s going to happen, so I’m really pleased.
“I made three birdies in a row to the 14th and then I thought this could be pretty good.”
Ahead of Thursday’s third round, Sessions added: “I’ll carry on the same as I have the last two days. I’m not going to be aggressive, I’ve got to be patient, so irons off tees and hopefully it can continue.”
The previous course record was held by Michael Welch, who posted 64 when the Carris Trophy last visited Rutland in 1990. Welch, then 17, went on to lift the title, defeating a young Lee Westwood by seven shots.
However, there are plenty in the field looking to chase down Sessions, who is the South East of England under-18 boys’ champion after winning that title in a play-off on his home course in Stortford on May 30.
Closest are Lennon Hill (Sundridge Park), American Kuan Zhou and Scotland’s Oli Blackadder, all tied for second, three shots behind.
In April, Sessions achieved the rare feat of recording a 10-under-par round as he finished second in the Southern Section of the Faldo Series. He registered the sensational 63 in the opening round of the three-day competition for under-21s at Brocket Hall in Welwyn Garden City.
And last December he showed bags of character as he recovered from a disappointing first round to finish fourth in the Justin Rose Telegraph Junior Golf Championship at Quinta do Lago in Portugal to battle it out for the unofficial major of junior golf.
Last September, Sessions contributed two singles victories on his England debut to help the mixed under-16s team triumph in their annual fixture against Ireland.