Sherratt the one to catch at Riversdale

BY Anthony Powter | Australian Mens Amateur Tour | 2009 Riversdale Cup | Round Three | 08 Mar 2009

Jordan Sherratt is set to claim his maiden National Trial event title as the 21-year-old heads into the final round at the Riversdale Cup with a commanding five stroke margin from defending champion, Scott Arnold.

Despite never holding the lead going into the final round of a National Trial event, Sherratt is confident his game will hold up to the pressure and looked in control during today’s third round, as he moved to 17-under-par for the tournament with rounds of 63-68-68.

“I’m sure I’ll be thinking about it tonight, going into the final day with a strong lead is something that I’ve never experienced before,” said Sherratt, winner of the 2007 South Australian Medal.

“Lately, I’ve being doing other things to take my mind off golf like working as a landscaper and trying not to worry about my game. I’m more relaxed out there than before. This is certainly new territory for me, but my game this week has been strong and I’m putting really well, so I should be okay.”

Sherratt’s best National Trial event performance is a 4th at the 2008 Keperra Bowl in Queensland. He finished 6th at the Australian Amateur stroke play last year and in the following September at the interstate series, Sherratt was undefeated with wins over numerous marquee players like 2007 British Amateur runner-up, Tim Stewart, and Australia’s top ranked world amateur at the time and winner of the 2008 US Rice Planters Championship, Matthew Griffin.

Sherratt has held the lead at Riversdale since his opening round 63, a course record for a day before Daniel Beckmann fired one better during the second round. Sherratt’s confidence is building with each round, as is his knowledge of how to play the Riversdale layout.

“The greens are firming and today there were some difficult putts,” said Sherratt, who made his first cut at Riversdale after four pervious attempts.

“There are places where you can be aggressive, but the greens are very difficult. The par 5’s are all reachable, but it is with the greens where you have to be careful. Short side yourself and you will be struggling to save par.”

Scott Arnold’s third round 66 moved him from an overnight tied 7th to 2nd position, to be at 12-under-par, following earlier rounds of 68-70. Arnold is a seasoned competitor with both local, including two National Trial events, and international wins to his credit.

A steely competitor, Arnold adopts a never say die approach to every tournament he competes in, no more so than when he tees off in the final group with Sherratt and New Zealand’s Ryan Fox tomorrow.

“With the way Riversdale can play, five shots is not much of a difference,” said Arnold, Australia’s highest ranked amateur at 15 in the world.

“The trick is to hit fairways early and get off to a good start. The par 5’s are all birdie opportunities and that’s where I’ll be looking to make up the difference. Jordan can be caught, but putting is the critical factor, you need to sink a few long putts early to have a chance.”

A stroke behind Arnold is New Zealand’s Ryan Fox at 11-under and outright 3rd position. Fox has numerous runner-up finishes to his credit, including the 2008 New Zealand Stroke Play championship, the 2008 North Island Stroke Play championship and is a semi-finalist at the 2008 New Zealand Amateur. The New Zealander plays an aggressive big hitting game, which he’s sure to call upon during tomorrow’s final round.

Daniel Beckmann added to yesterday’s course record 62 with a 70, to be at 10-under in 4th position. Beckmann is two strokes ahead of Bryden Macpherson, whose at 8-under, followed by Matt Jager at 7-under.

Despite opening strongly at the Riversdale, Daniel Nisbet was forced to attend hospital last evening complaining of stomach pains and a temperature. Nisbet was forced to withdraw from the event but has been released from hospital after further testing and is recovering at home. It’s expected that he’ll be fully fit for the Australian Amateur in a fortnight.

The cut of top 50 and ties, plus internationals, came in at 3-over-par.

Following tomorrow’s final round, the new found approach that Sherratt has applied to his game could reward him with benefits, in not only handing him his first National Trial event title, but also an invite into the British Amateur Championship at Formby and West Lancashire in June.

Sherratt has shown plenty of poise and confidence during the last three rounds. His striking has been pure and he’s reading the slippery Riversdale greens well. He will take some stopping tomorrow and should he be holding the trophy, it will be another emerging young gun taking claim to a National Trial event title.