Beckmann fires course record 62
BY Anthony Powter | Australian Mens Amateur Tour | 2009 Riversdale Cup | Round Two | 08 Mar 2009
Jordan Sherratt has built upon the course record 9-under-par, 63, he shot during the opening round of the Riversdale Cup with a 68 to set up a five stroke margin from his nearest rivals moving into tomorrow’s third round.
Sherratt is at 13-under-par with four players including Bryden Macpherson, Ryan Fox, Daniel Nisbet and Daniel Beckmann in tied 2nd position at 8-under. Matt Jager has moved to be 7-under-par to be in outright 6th position.
The round of the day went to Daniel Beckmann with a course record 10-under-par, 62, moving the 2007 Federal Amateur champion up the leaderboard from his opening tied 70th position to be tied for second.
Beckmann’s bogey free round included an amazing eight birdies and an eagle and it’s Beckmann’s fourth course record, having only a fortnight ago firing a course record at Launceston Golf Club with a 65, during the final round of the Tasmanian Open. The other two course records are at Portsea, when he won the 2007 Portsea Pro-am and at Heidelberg golf course in Melbourne’s north.
“I had three lip-outs as well today, so it could have been even lower,” remarked Beckmann following his round at Riversdale.
“I’m obviously striking the ball well, I just need to string four rounds together and we’ll see what happens. I know this layout well and provided you keep the drive on the fairways, you can attack the greens as many of the par 4’s are short.”
Currently everyone is trying to catch Sherratt, winner of the South Australian 2007 Medal, who continues to play the tight Riversdale layout with precision and confidence. Behind Sherratt is a swag of talent including Macpherson, New Zealand’s Ryan Fox, Nisbet, Beckmann and Jager.
All are capable of chasing the South Australian’s five stroke buffer down over the final two rounds.
Bryden Macpherson has fired rounds of 66-70 and can shoot low, as shown during the Dunes Medal where he fired a course record 63 to win that National Trial event at 14-under-par.
MacPherson’s game just keeps going from strength to strength as he develops into one of Australia’s most promising young amateurs to emerge from the junior ranks. Last June he qualified for the match play rounds at the 2008 US Amateur Junior Championship and has played solidly in all main Australian amateur events this season. You would expect that he’ll make a move during tomorrow’s third round.
Daniel Nisbet is another that should make his move over the final two rounds.
The 2008 Australian Junior and Queensland dual Junior Champion is at the next phase of his development as a player, following what was an outstanding junior amateur career. Nisbet would love nothing better than to collect his maiden National Trial event title in his first full year playing major amateur events.
Defending champion Scott Arnold is in a tie in eighth position, after rounds of 68-70, to be seven behind Sherratt. Arnold, the highest ranked world amateur playing at Riversdale, will need to fire a low third round to press the leaderboard. Arnold is at 6-under-par along with Lincoln Tighe, Daniel Pearce and Gavin Fairfax.
Sherratt has thrown the challenge at Riversdale and is widening his advantage over the field with each round. With an afternoon tee time for tomorrow’s third round and with many of his main challenges playing early, Sherratt will have the advantage of knowing what’s needed to score. In any event if he continues to play the way he is that issue becomes irrelevant.
The news today at Riversdale was all about Beckmann’s 62, in what was a wonderful display of precision golf.
“Sure I’ll try and go out there tomorrow and do the same,” said an elated Beckmann.
“I’m due for a win as it’s been a while. If I can have another round like today, then it will certainly make things interesting.”
Following Sunday’s third round the cut will fall on the top 50 leading players and tied, plus all internationals, for the final round on Monday.
