Sam Edwards wins Hampshire Hog

Devon’s Sam Edwards added his name to the list of illustrious winners of the Hampshire Hog Open Amateur Competition at North Hants Golf Club

Words: Matthew Field

Devon’s Sam Edwards added his name to the list of illustrious winners of the Hampshire Hog Open Amateur Competition at North Hants Golf Club.

Edwards, 21, shot a three under par 67 in the morning before the heavy rain caused the event to be cut to 18 holes. The afternoon round was abandoned for only the third time in the competition’s 57-year history.

Last year’s Hog champion, Walker Cup player Jordan Smith, from Bowood G&CC, captured the Hampshire Salver with a combined score from Saturday’s Selborne Salver at Blackmoor and Sunday’s Hampshire Hog of level par 208 with rounds of 68, 68 and 72.

Edwards’ victory was the biggest success of the Bigbury golfer’s career and places him alongside past winners, including the reigning US Open Champion Justin Rose and former Masters and Open Champion Sandy Lyle.

“It’s an honour to have my name on that board and I’ll certainly try and follow in their footsteps,” said Edwards. “Hopefully I can push on from here for the rest of the summer and get another win.”

Starting at the tenth, Edwards reached the turn in level par, dropping an early shot on the 12th before birdieing the 17th.

He picked up a further four birdies on his last nine. His par save on the 3^rd after he found the water with his second shot stood out as the highlight of the round.

Jordan Smith, who made his Walker Cup debut last September, went one better than last year when he was denied the Hampshire Salver title by a shot.

“It’s been quite a year since winning last year’s Hampshire Hog, the highlight being the Walker Cup,” said Smith.

“Although the results didn’t go our way in America, it was an amazing experience. I learnt a lot from that, and will try and build on that on the amateur circuit this year before another go at the Qualifying School.”

The Hampshire Hog was first played in 1957 and past winners have included two Major Champions, four Ryder Cup players and 19 Walker Cup players.

Hampshire Hog Results – North Hants GC (Par 70)

Note: Play reduced to 18 holes due to heavy rain.

Leading final scores:

67 S Edwards (Bigbury)

68 J Bower (Meltham)

69 D Brown (Bedale)

Hampshire Salver Results – Best Combined Score from Selborne Salver at Blackmoor (Par 69) and Hampshire Hog at North Hants (Par 70).

Leading final scores:

208 J Smith (Bowood G&CC) 68, 68, 72

209 P Howard (Southport &Ainsdale) 69, 70, 70

210 S Richardson (Spalding) 68, 70, 72, A Chesters (Hawkstone Park) 69, 68, 73