Dawson fourth in Duke of York
Robin Dawson (2nd from left) at the official dinner. Dawson has had an excellent season at both individual and team level. Faithlegg’s Robin Dawson finished a fine fourth behind Italy’s Guido Migliozzi the Duke of York Young Champions Trophy at Royal St George’s on Thursday.
The Irish Boys champion closed with a one over par 71 - his best round of the week - to finish six shots behind the winner on 221.
Migliozzi held off a spirited final day challenge from England’s Jack Singh Brar to win the 13th edition of the events.
He began the final round of the 54-strokeplay event with a four stroke lead but had to hold his nerve all the way to the 18th before sealing the narrow one stroke win in one of game’s most prestigious amateur events at under-18 level.
The Italian Boys champion shot a final round two-over 72 for a winning aggregate of 215, one ahead of Brar, who signed off with a 69 to equal the low round of the week with Vince van Veen from The Netherlands who finished seventh.
“I didn’t play my best today but the short game got me out of trouble,” said a relieved Migliozzi holding the famous trophy. “The battle with Jack (Singh Brar) was very hard. He missed the par putt at the last but he put it up to me all day long.
“I felt some pressure on the back nine but it was ok. I’m very happy to have won this tournament, my biggest win so far,” added the champion, who traded two birdies at the first and seventh against four bogeys.
Brar knew he always faced an uphill battle to overcome Migliozzi but enjoyed the challenge nonetheless. With three birdies in four holes from the fifth the 16-year-old rectified two early bogeys.
And with another birdie at the par three 16th, it meant he and Migliozzi stood on the 18th tee level. However, a closing bogey for Brar left Migliozzi with a three-footer for par and the win.
“It was another great tournament but I came up just short,” said Brar. “I knew it was going to be tough to par the last to force the play-off. I managed to turn it on over the back nine and gave it a good go. I enjoyed the challenge.
“After winning the Southeast England Boys title last month, I was hoping for back-to-back wins,” added Brar, who received an invite after winning the Faldo Series.
Bradley Neil struggled to find his A-game for most of the day but by signing off with a rare birdie at the 18th, the young Scot secured third place after a final round 71 gave the 17-year-old a total of 220.
That was one ahead of American Nicole Morales, who finished as the top girl for the week and in a tie for fourth alongside Dawson (71) and Norway’s Kristian Johannessen (71).