Jacob Skov Olesen and Dominic Clemons to meet in British amateur final

Jacob Skov Olesen and Dominic Clemons to meet in British amateur final

Jacob Skov Olesen (Royal and old photo)

England’s Dominic Clemons and Denmark’s Jacob Skov Olesen will meet in the final of the 129th Amateur Championship in Ballyliffin.

On a tough, soggy day at the northwest tip of Ireland, Clemons and Olesen battled opponents, the weather and the rigorous test posed by the Glashedy Links to set up a 36-hole showdown for one of the most valuable prizes in the amateur game.

Clemons, who came close to defeat on the final green of his quarterfinal match in the morning, booked his place in the final two with a spirited one-hole victory over fellow Englishman Jack Bigham.

Olesen, making his debut in the Amateur Championship, won 3&1 against American Luke Sample and became the first Danish player to reach the final.

The two men will now compete for one of the most prestigious trophies in amateur golf, with the winner also earning exemptions into the 152nd Open at Royal Troon in July, next year’s US Open and, by tradition, an invitation to play at the Masters. Tournament in 2025.

Clemons, who won the Scottish Open Amateur Strokeplay Championship by 17 shots at Muirfield earlier this month, showed patience, composure and resilience in a tight contest with Walker Cup player Bigham to maintain his push for another major title.

With nothing to separate the practice duo, a key moment came on the 15th hole when Bigham’s third shot smacked the flagstick and bounced about 20 feet from the hole. The former R&A Boys amateur champion missed his par putt and Clemons took the lead.

He was still in the lead playing last and clinched victory when Bigham’s birdie to keep his hopes alive faded.

Olesen, a student at the University of Arkansas, reveled in the ties test and fended off a courageous challenge from fellow championship debutant Sample.

The 25-year-old had made some terrific putts on the turn, but Sample continued to put up stiff resistance.

However, a wild tee shot at the 15th hole saw the New Yorker slip a hole behind and Olesen confirmed his advantage with a birdie at the 16th.

While Sample struggled in the bunkers until the 17th, Olesen finished the match in style with a beautiful approach that kissed the flag.

In the morning’s quarter-finals, Olesen claimed a notable scalp from Scottish Walker Cup player Calum Scott on the final green.

The Dane was two points back with just four to play, but Scott stumbled on a trio of bogeys at 15, 16 and 17 as the match turned on its head in the final shots.

Clemons, for his part, won on the 20th hole against the German Laurenz Schiergen.

In a fascinating match of fluctuating fortunes, Clemons, who had doubled after a pair of birdies at the first and second, found himself behind late when he missed a short putt on the 16th to fall behind for the first time.

Schiergen, aiming to become only the second German to reach the final, had a chance to win it on the 17th but missed by eight feet.

Schiergen then holed a three-footer on the 18th to seal a final four-way finish, but his putt fell short. Clemson received an unlikely reprieve and took the win on the second extra hole.

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