Ahmed Nasr during semifinal play of the 2017 Golf Croquet World Championship
It was a spectacular day of croquet at the highest level with two fiercely competitive semifinals. In the first match, Felix Webby, the 17-year old phenom from New Zealand took Egypt's Ahmed Nasr to the limit in a thrilling five-game match with both player's superb shot-making on display. Nasr was able to hold on and propel himself into tomorrow's showdown with 5-7, 7-2, 7-4, 6-7, 7-4 win where he will face South Africa's Reg Bamford for the third time in a World Championship final.
Webby had an amazing run in Australia winning the U21 title. He will be playing off for third place tomorrow in the Open Championships.
Reg Bamford (Click to Zoom)In the second semifinal of the day, Reg Bamford and Egypt's Hamy Eriam took the stage for an all-encompassing match which included great touch, placement, precision clearing shots and hoop shooting. Bamford prevailed in four games 7-4, 5-7, 7-6, 7-6.
It will be the third time Bamford and Nasr will face off in the WCF GC World Final, with Nasr prevailing in 2008 and Bamford winning in 2013. Nasr has two titles and is looking to join Khalid Younis' three GC World wins (1996, 1998, 2002). Bamford will be looking for his second title to join Nasr (2004, 2008) and Salah Hassan (1997, 2000).
Congratulations to Canada's John Richardson for his top four finish in the Plate. I ended my tournament run on a high note by making it into the quarterfinals of the Plate.
Photos by Bill Bromley