MATT Mumford will head into next week’s Open qualifier at Remedy Oak on a high after breaking the course record at Wrag Barn.

The 19-year-old, who plays off scratch, was competing in the club’s monthly medal tournament when he wrote his name into Wrag Barn history.

The course record of gross 67 at the Highworth club had stood for nearly a decade and belonged to Mumford’s coach Richard Scarrott.

However, the club’s PGA coach saw that score lowered at the weekend when Mumford went around in a six-under-par 66.

The teenager struck seven birdies, 10 pars and a bogey in his superb round having been five-under at the turn.

Mumford, who won the men’s championship at the club last month, said: “I’m very proud to be Wrag Barn’s Men’s champion and to also now hold the course record.

“It’s a great feeling to know out of all the great players that have competed at Wrag Barn no-one has ever shot lower than me in a competition.

“I remember Richard breaking the record quite a few years ago during our junior week and after I beat it he text me to say ‘it is about time someone broke my record’.”

Josh Loughrey came closest to breaking Scarrott’s record last year in the men’s championship, but the Jamega Tour pro could only level the score.

Mumford has also gone around the Wrag Barn course in 63, however, that was in a matchplay event and for the record to stand it had to be a qualifying competition and in tournament conditions.

Mumford is hoping that his recent form will help get through the first qualifying stage for next month’s Open.

“To qualify for the Open would be the biggest achievement of my career without a shadow of a doubt,” he said.

“But I have to get through Monday first, then there is a second qualifier in Woburn before the final qualifier.

“I think I have got a good chance of getting through on Monday, I’m feeling confident in my game.

“I have brought a new training aid a CS2 which helps me with my putting and I’ve spent hours at home and on the greens.

“I feel that it is paying off as well because on Sunday I hit some really good putts.”