Beckmann overtakes Fowler at Yarra Yarra

BY Anthony Powter | Australian Mens Amateur Tour | 2009 NEC Master of the Amateurs | Round Three | 15 Jan 2009

Daniel Beckmann fired a 3-under-par 69 for the day’s low round to secure a one stroke lead over American, Rickie Fowler, following the third round of the NEC Master of the Amateurs at Yarra Yarra Golf Club, in Victoria, Australia.

Fowler, the world number two, finished with a frustrating 3-over-par 75, after missing numerous fairways with his driver that ultimately proved costly for the American.

Daniel Beckmann Audio Interview

“I missed too many opportunities out there today,” said Fowler, who had held the lead since the first round round after opening with a 7-under-par 65.

“There’s a low number out there and tomorrow I’m looking for it. You just have to keep hitting the fairways and the score will follow. I simply didn’t do that today and my score showed that.”

Daniel Beckmann is yet to emerge on the world amateur stage and capitalise on his victory at the 2007 Federal Amateur. The Victorian plays well above his 235th world ranking position and a win tomorrow will be timely for one of our most promising amateurs.

“I’m a more consistent player than in 2007, when I won the Federal Amateur,” says Beckmann, who was the youngest ever winner of the Federal Amateur at 19 years of age.

“I can play a four round tournament in a more consistent way now, and whilst anything can happen tomorrow, I’m playing well and feel I have a chance, especially with knowing the course so well.”

During the 2008 Victorian Pennant season, Beckmann was Yarra Yarra’s front man playing the top pennant spot and took the Club to the final against the Victoria Golf Club. A respectable 3rd place at the rain-shortened 2008 Tasmanian Open was his best finish during the 2008 Australian season. His American tour closed with his best finish a T36th at the Rice Planters.

A talented player, Beckmann will be undoubtedly be seeking to repeat his efforts at the 2007 Portsea Open Amateur where during the final round he ran away with a nine shot victory after a closing 65. He is known to shoot low and with the added local knowledge, Beckmann is poised to claim another major amateur victory and with that an exemption into this year’s Players Amateur and Porter Cup.

A former winner of the NEC Master of the Amateur, Ashley Umbers, followed Beckmann with the day’s low round 69 to move to tied 3rd at 2-under-par.

“I missed a lot out there today,” said the 2007 winner.

“The course is presenting plenty of opportunities, especially the par 5’s. I’m going for it tomorrow and I only hope that some of my putts just drop this time.”

American Mark Anderson, winner of the 2008 Players Amateur, had his chances during his third round but finished with a 3-over-par 75, to fall back to join Umbers in 3rd position.

Michael Smyth again moved up the leader board quietly, like he did during the 2008 Federal Amateur last October, and is in joint 5th position with 2008 Porter Cup winner, Adam Mitchell.

Daniel Beckmann remains very reserved about his chances of securing another major amateur championship. Beckmann’s game this afternoon was a faultless display of golf, in conditions where most of the field struggled.

“I was not that hard out there,” he said following his round.

“The greens are difficult in places and even local knowledge at times does not help at times. Tomorrow is another round, but it’s great to be in there with a chance and that’s all I want.”