CHARLOTTE THOMAS TOP SEED FOR ENGLISH MID-AMATEUR CHSHIP

In-form Charlotte Thomas shot one-over par for 36 holes today to lead the 32 qualifiers for the match play stages of the English women’s open mid-amateur championship at John O’Gaunt, Bedfordshire. The 20-year-old, who is based in Singapore, was runner-up in last week’s English women’s open stroke play championship, losing the title only in a play-off. Charlotte (image © Leaderboard Photography) has clearly carried her form into this week, returning a two-under 72 this morning, followed by an afternoon 77. It makes her top seed for the match play and her first round opponent is 32nd qualifier Holly Langford (South Staffs), who made it in to the knockout stages on count back from Lucinda Gibbons (Aldwickbury Park). “It was a long day, but good fun,” said Charlotte, who makes a regular summer golfing trip to England, where her grandparents live. Her morning round, which included four birdies, was compiled in wind and showers, but the weather settled for the later part of her afternoon round. “I was happy overall,” she said. “This morning was very nice and steady while I only had one birdie this afternoon – but that was all right.” Charlotte had targeted the top spot and remarked: “That was my goal and now I’m looking forward to the match play.” She was followed in the qualifying stakes by Warwickshire’s Melissa Nicol, who gave support to the saying “beware the injured golfer” when she returned rounds of 77 and one-over par 75. The 19-year-old from Moor Hall has been suffering from a knee problem, then hurt her back three weeks ago, developed a cold-type complaint at the weekend – and last night was kept awake until the small hours at her hotel. Despite all that she played very tidily on her debut appearance in this championship. The highlight of her day came in the second round on the par-five ninth, where she holed her approach shot from 97 yards for an eagle three. It helped her reach the turn in three-under. “The course is lovely, but it’s quite dry in parts and you can bounce into trouble so it’s been quite tricky,” she said. “It’s all about positioning and making sure you hit the right club at the right time. The greens are really nice, really true.” Local interest will focus on the host club’s Sophie Hillier who qualified comfortably for the match play. However, defending champion Emma Carberry (Highwoods, Bexhill) was among those who missed the cut, in her case by just one shot. Qualifying scores Par 74 CSS 79 77 149 Charlotte Thomas Singapore  72 77 152 Melissa Nicol (Moor Hall) 77 75 154 Daisy Macve (Surrey National)76 78 156 Melissa McMahon(Lyme Regis) 81 75 158 Emilee Taylor (Holme Hall) 83 75; Jessica Gregory (Sittingbourne & Milton Regis) 80 78 159 Chloe Rogers (Braintree) 83 76; Gemma Clews (Delamere Forest) 81 78 160 Chelsea Masters (Highwoods,Bexhill) 80 80; Jo Hodge (Kendleshire) 79 81 161 Gemma Bradbury (Cottrell Park) 84 77; Sophie Powell (Stockport) 82 79; Samantha Giles (St Mellion) 80 81; Samantha Morrell (USA) 79 82 162 Kimberley Bradbury (Cavendish) 79 83; Bethany Garton (Royal Lytham & St Annes) 78 84 163 Sharon Luckman (Felixstowe Ferry)85 78; Lucy Evans (Wrekin) 83 80 164 Emma Tayler (Saunton) 84 80; Sophie Hillier (John O'Gaunt) 84 80; Alice Boothroyd (Rudding Park) 83 81 165 Amanda Colgate-Herbert (Rochford Hundred) 84 81; Jessica Wilcox (Blankney) 83 82; Sarah Howe (Ipswich) 81 84 166 Louisa Tarn (Sunningdale) 84 82; Charlotte Thompson (Channels) 82 84; Elizabeth Haycock (Moseley) 81 85 167 Charlotte Priddle (Moor Hall) 86 81; Jackie Foster (Bishops Stortford)85 82; Hollie Vizard (Pleasington) 85 82; Nicola Rawlinson (Royal Birkdale) 82 85 168 Holly Langford (South Staffs) 84 84   For full scores visit www.englandgolf.org/championships Lyndsey Hewison Press Officer England Golf pr@englandgolf.org