Rotorua golfer Landyn Edwards leads the British Amateur Championship qualifying by one shot after a superb four under par 68 at the Hillside Golf Club in the North West of England.

 

The 20-year-old from the Rotorua Golf Club, who has represented New Zealand at junior level, came out firing early and made three birdies in the first five holes. He dropped shots on the par 3 7^th and 10^th and then finished his round in style with back to back birdies on 17 and 18.

Edwards, who won the Waikato Stroke Play title in 2010, leads by one stroke from Spain's Adrian Otaegui who shot a three under 68 at the Hesketh Golf Club.

It was a remarkable round for Edwards who was one of only two golfers to shoot under par at Hillside. New Zealand Golf Talent and Coach Development Manager Gregg Thorpe said it has been exciting to see Edwards grow as a player.

"He has been working hard on his fitness at the Waiariki Polytechnic in Rotorua and on his game with his coach Dominic Sainsbury," said Thorpe.

The former New Zealand junior representative has also been receiving tuition from respected Bay of Plenty coach Jay Carter. 

"It shows what can happen when you put yourself in that position through hard work. He has made the most of his opportunity and now we hope he can kick on and qualify high on the rankings for the final 64 for the match play of the British