Packed leaderboard at Tasmanian Open
BY Anthony Powter | Australian Mens Amateur Tour | 2009 Tasmanian Open Championship | Round Two | 20 Feb 2009
With seven players sharing the leader board at 3-under-par at the Tasmanian Open, the championship remains a tight affair.
Locals Greg Longmore, Craig Hancock and Ryan McCarthy are equalled with Daniel Nisbet, Seven Van Puymbroeck, Scott Arnold and Brendan Smith, following a rain delayed opening round at Launceston Golf Club.
“I was off early so was able to get my round finished,” said Daniel Nisbet.
“The course is playing pure and there are certainly opportunities out there for a low score. I’m happy with my start and we’ll just see how things go tomorrow.”
Ryan McCarthy knows a low score is possible around the par 72, 5987 metre Launceston layout. During Wednesday’s pro-am, the 2008 Tasmanian Amateur champion shot a 64, only to be denied the course record by officials because of two shortened tee positions.
“It was a bummer not being able to claim the course record, but it shows a low score is out there. You need to position your ball off the tee here to have any chance and today I felt I was able to do that, but I just did not take up any opportunities.”
Four of the leaders, Nisbet, Smith, McCarthy and Arnold, are National Squad members and another showdown of emerging Australian talent is pending at the Tasmanian Open. Arnold, who last weekend shot a course record 64 around NSW Golf Club, which is the venue for this year’s Australian Open, started his Tasmanian Open campaign slowly, yet was able to regain his momentum later in his round.
“I started off too slow,” said Arnold, who’s planning return to Melbourne in a fortnight to defend his Riversdale Cup title.
“I was two over through six and came back well with an eagle and a couple of birdies on the back nine. I’m overall pleased to be where I am up there with the leaders, as I thought someone would have come in with a five under today as conditions were favourable.”
Matt Jager and Daniel Beckmann were unable to take advantage of the conditions and both fired an uncharacteristic 3-over-par 75, to be in T39th position, whilst another promising talent, Bryden Macpherson is one behind in T61st, position after posting a 76.
“I’m not giving any excuses with the way that I played today,” said Mcpherson, winner of the Dunes Medal last November.
“I’m just off a flight from Houston yesterday, so am a bit groggy. My games there and I’ll be firing on all cylinders tomorrow and see what I can do.”
The lowest fifty scores and ties will progress from the thirty-six hole cut following tomorrow’s round.
