Where the championship is won and lost

Three holes on the back-nine will decide who will win the European Amateur Championship

Thomas Vennekilde, 23. august 2008

The wind in Esbjerg has shifted 180 degrees overnight, presenting a whole new challenge to the remaining 56 players in the European Amateur Championship.

The front nine is where the birdies will be made today, whereas the back nine will yield more bogeys. Especially three holes will separate the champion from the contenders.

According to the 1993 European Amateur Champion, Morten Backhausen, who is now head of sports at Danish Golf Union, the holes 11, 16 and 18 will be where the championship is won and lost.

- These three holes are a played with the wind blowing from the side. On a narrow course like Esbjerg where every hole is surrounded by trees and heavy rough, accuracy is of the essence. And no place more than one these three long par 4-holes, says Morten Backhausen.

Morten Backhausen won the European Amateur Championship in 1993 by beating the later Ryder Cup and European Tour Order of Merit winner Lee Westwood in a play-off.

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