Matty Lamb says lockdown sharpened his appetite for golf – and allowed him to cut loose and claim victory in the Tillman Trophy at Foxhills Golf Club in Surrey.
The England men’s squad member from Hexham Golf Club saw off a challenge from international teammate Ben Schmidt with a four round total of 12 under-par.
Matty posted rounds of 69, 69,71 and 67 to lift the trophy, following in the footsteps of four-time major champion Ernie Els.
Matty, 22, said: “To be honest I didn’t play that well, but obviously I scored well. It was a bit scrappy from tee to green, but the putter was hot all week and I holed out really well. It just felt so good to be back out playing competitive golf again.
“In an odd way the lockdown maybe helped me. I began to appreciate golf again and when we were allowed to come back to the course I enjoyed it a lot more.
“The break may have come at a good time. I was able to work on technical things by hitting into a net in my garden and was also able to talk about things with my coach Andy Paisley. I was able to practise things I wouldn’t have done had I been out playing all the time and it’s paid off.”
A birdie at the 72nd hole sealed the win and followed up his success last season in the Hampshire Hog and Home Internationals with England.
He added: “Now I just want to kick on and make the most of what’s left of the season. I had always planned on staying focused on my amateur career until after the 2021 Walker Cup, so my long-term plans haven’t changed with this year’s disruption. It’s a case of building on this week.”
