Holten recovers to share Riversdale Cup lead

BY iseekgolf.com | Australian Mens Amateur Tour | 2005 Riversdale Cup | Round Three | 13 Mar 2005

Waikato golfer Mathew Holten made an outstanding comeback to share the lead with one round remaining in the Riversdale Cup International in Melbourne.

The Te Aroha player shot a third round one-under 71 for a 54-hole tally of 26, 10-under par at the Riversdale course today involving players from USA, England, Scotland, Singapore, Korea, New Zealand and the best from Australia.

Holten shares the third round lead with New South Wales golfer Won Joon Lee on 10-under par, with a three shot buffer to Australians Leighton Lyle and David Lutterus.

The New Zealander dropped four shots in the opening eight holes but took advantage of the dying winds late in the day to complete his final 10 holes in five-under par. He eagled the 18th, his ninth hole and birdied the next to star this run.

Manager John Gatley said Holten was magnificent over the closing 10 holes.

“He got his rhythm again and could have shot several more birdies. He shaved the hole with three or four birdie attempts. But he was very pleased with the outcome and definitely would have taken one-under if you had asked him after his first eight holes.”

Tauranga’s Brad Iles dropped to five-over par after a six-over 78 today to miss the three-round cut, with Mark Purser (Hamilton) and Josh Geary (Tauranga) both shooting three-over 75s. They are seven-over par and nine-over respectively but continue in the competition as the official New Zealand team members for the international team contest.

Players faced tough conditions today with strong winds and hot temperatures combined with rock-hard and slick greens.

“It was very tough through the middle of the day but the winds died away later in the afternoon which really helped Mathew.”

Source – NZGA