Dubai resident Oscar Craig revealed his “emotions were all over the place” during the final few holes of the second round at the UAE Challenge, but the 17-year-old amateur kept his composure to make the cut on his Challenge Tour debut.
Craig, who is the stepson of World No.11 Tommy Fleetwood, started the second round just four strokes adrift of the leaders after a bogey-free 69 at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, but today’s round was arguably even more impressive, with the youngster battling against the nerves to become the only amateur to make the weekend.
“(Emotions) were all over the place to be honest, I was pretty nervous,” said Craig, who mixed four bogeys with three birdies to sign for a one over par 73 and finish the day in a share of 42nd on two under.
“Coming down the last hole, realising I needed to make par to be safe I was just like 'let's do it' and I ended up making birdie. I was so happy.
Craig told Gulf News ahead of the tournament that his main goal for the week was to make the cut at the Gary Player-designed masterpiece.
With that target now achieved, he can no doubt play with a bit more freedom over the next two rounds in what is his first ever professional start.
“I'm feeling really relieved, but really, really happy,” said Craig, who secured his spot in the tournament after winning the Ras Al Khaimah Men’s Open earlier this year.
“It's a dream come true. At the start of the week, I wanted to make the cut, but I just wanted to make sure that I tried my best on every single golf shot that I hit.
“I enjoyed the experience as well. It's the first time I've played on the Challenge Tour and in any professional event.”
Fleetwood, who had flown back from the RBC Heritage on the PGA Tour following Sunday’s final round to act as his stepson’s looper, was equally delighted with Craig’s performance, but was keen to stay out of the spotlight and let the teenager enjoy his moment.
“Oscar did his job out there today, and I'm very proud of him,” said Fleetwood.
Craig added: “He's been an unreal caddie, to be fair. Just keeping my head straight, on the front nine today I was close to losing my head. We agreed on every single golf shot and talked about it to make sure it was the right one to hit so very happy.”
Joshua Berry leads the tournament on 11 under par after a second round 68, while Hamish Brown and Wilco Nienaber are two shots adrift of the Englishman in a share of second.
The third round gets underway at 7.30am tomorrow.
