Straight driving has Sell in the spotlight
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Victory in the Amateur Championship brings with it honour and glory and something money cannot buy, automatic entry in to the Open Championship and the US Masters. There is no regard for name or reputation. Martin Sell, who began the week in Porthcawl with a reputation to make, could still end it with tee-times at Muirfield in July and Augusta next April after reaching today's 36-hole final. His opponent, Spain's Alejandro Larrazabal, has already made a name for himself by beating both Zane Scotland and the Walker Cup player Jamie Elson.
Sell is a 23-year-old from Swindon who occasionally takes short-term jobs at the Honda plant in the city. Until the age of 16 he was more interested in playing football and is still a Chelsea supporter. With no one in the family who played golf, it was a friend who dragged him along to a local club and he is now a member at Wrag Barn.
His handicap came down quickly, but he was still playing off 10 at the age of 18, by which time most talented young players are already off scratch, a mark Sell did not reach until a couple of years ago.
This is his first appearance at the Amateur. His claim to fame to date was winning three of eight events on the David Leadbetter Prospects Tour last year and topping the order of merit, which earned him a week's trip to Leadbetter's base at Champions' Gate in Orlando.
Sell plays for Wiltshire, his only other visit to Royal Porthcawl coming in a county match, but has come in under the radar of the international selectors. Due note was taken yesterday, however, of a performance that was worthy of the élite national squad and all the lottery funding that entails.
Sorting out his driving with his coach just before the Championship allowed him to hit lots of fairways and in difficult conditions par golf was good enough for a 7 and 6 win over Wales's David Price and a one-hole victory over Scotland's Graham Gordon in the semi-finals. "I am shattered but I'll go back to the hotel, watch the football and relax," Sell said. "I cannot believe what I have done. I came here with no expectations at all."
Scotland's great run of victories came to an end in the quarter-finals when he lost at the 20th hole to the Larrazabal. He led for the only time after the 17th, but lost the last to a bogey when he took a chip and three putts from off the green. Larrazabal lost the 18th in his semi against Elson but conjured a brilliant par at the 19th where Elson missed his par putt from three feet.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments