Gidney's quest for honours

The highly-rated 20-year-old from Church Stretton will join an elite field from across Europe for the Portuguese Amateur Championships at Estela Golf Club in Povoa de Varzim.

Gidney has fond memories of the tournament having reached the last 16 of the matchplay stages 12 months ago, qualifying in 10th position following two days of strokeplay.

A change in format this year will see strokeplay for all four rounds with a cut coming after 54 holes.

But the Shropshire & Herefordshire first team player is confident of a similarly strong showing in the 125-strong field.

"I finished 10th in the strokeplay last year and I genuinely think my game is in a better shape than it was 12 months ago," said Gidney, who will have Church Stretton professional James Townsend on his bag.

"Top 10 would be a good week but I honestly think if I can produce my best, I'm capable of winning which would be massive because the winner gets into the Portuguese Open European Tour event.

"I will have to play well but it's a target. I've done a lot of work on my game over the summer, particularly on trying to get the ball closer from 100, 120 yards.

"Hopefully I can take some good form into the big tournaments this year."

Gidney, now playing off +2.6, was due to make it a European double over the next fortnight by also competing in the Spanish Amateur Championship the following week.

But the make-up of that field has been based on the World Amateur Rankings - of which Gidney is not a member - rather than handicaps.

By James Garrison