Butler and Ross in the driving seat at Clandeboye

Jamie Butler was in fine form in Clandeboye. Photo: Thos Caffrey / Golffile.

Killeen’s Jamie Butler opened with a sensational seven-under 64 on a perfect day for low scoring in the Ulster Men’s and Women’s Amateur Stroke Play Open Championship at Clandeboye.

He added a second round of 69 to leave him in a promising position heading into the final round of the men’s event, six shots clear of Hollywood’s Rory Williamson on nine-under par.

Men’s scoring

“It's my first time here playing in the Ulster Stroke Play. Clandeboye is a great venue. I played here a couple of years ago and was looking forward to coming back,” said Butler.

“I was out early this morning, and the course was in great condition. The greens were perfect. It’s a real thinker's golf course.

“There is a lot of strategy off the tee. You have to place the balls into the greens because its really firm out here. I was fortunate to do well today. I holed a lot of putts in the first round but didn’t quite hole as much in the second round but made a lot of birdies.

“I got off to a quick start, I was around five-under at the turn. There was a few good up and down par saves in there too and then I hung on in the back nine and took my chances when they came. It was great to go low this morning as that’s my lowest round ever.” 

Butler finished off his second round going two-under for his last four holes which puts him in a great position heading into tomorrow's round where he will play with Williamson and Athenry’s David Kitt. 

“It's important to finish well as it’s a long day out here playing 36 holes so it's easy to get tired. It was important to finish well as I holed a goof few putts for birdies at the end.

“I'm looking forward to tomorrow, anytime you're up around the top of the leaderboard it's always fun. I'm sure it will be a great battle.” 

In the women’s section, local Jessica Ross added a seven-under 66 to her opening 64 to give her a four-shot lead over Hermitage’s Kate Lanigan (74-69).

Women’s scoring

“This morning I left a few out there and started off my second round slow but I finished strong so I'm happy with the finish,” said Ross. 

The Clandeboye native will play her final round alongside Lanigan and Edmondstown’s Anna Abom.

“I’m happy enough with today, a lead is nothing out here so I'm just going to take every shot as it comes, and I will see how it goes.”

Jessica Ross used her home course knowledge in Clandeboye. Photo: Thos Caffrey / Golffile.