Sherratt strolls to Riversdale Cup win

BY Anthony Powter | Australian Mens Amateur Tour | 2009 Riversdale Cup | Round Four | 09 Mar 2009

During the final round of the Riversdale Cup, Jordan Sherratt never looked like relinquishing the lead he had held since the first round as he cruised to his first National Trial event title.

The 21-year-old from Thaxted Park Golf Club south of Adelaide, blasted the rest of the field away during today’s final round, winning at 21-under-par with rounds of 63-68-68-68, five shots from nearest rival, Scott Arnold, at 16-under-par.

Jordan Sherratt Audio Interview

Sherratt started the final day at 17-under-par, with a five stroke margin from defending champion Scott Arnold.

A birdie on the opening hole gave Arnold a slight glimmer of hope of a recovery, however, Australia’s highest ranked amateur was unable to get his momentum going, making the turn at 1-under. In comparison, Sherratt finished the front nine at 3-under-par and moved quickly to be 22-under-par after 12 to widen his overnight lead to seven strokes.

“I was able to get off to a reasonable start and settle down early,” said Sherratt, who won the 2007 South Australian Medal in his only other major amateur title before today.

“This tournament I’ve played differently, both with my approach to the game and with the way I’m thinking around the golf course. I made very few mistakes out there today. Coming into the event I had no real expectations about results, so this win is kind of unreal.”

Defending champion Scott Arnold had nothing but praise with the way Sherratt played throughout the tournament and during the final day.

“Full credit to Jordy, he never let us in with a chance out there,” remarked Arnold.

“We were kind of playing for second after the 12th when Jordan got to 22-under. It’s a great win and holding the lead from the start, just shows you how well he played.”

Despite never taking the lead going into the final round of a National Trial event, Sherratt’s game held up to the pressure and he showed no signs of nerves, taking control of the tight Riversdale layout with precision iron play. Today’s win also sets Sherratt up nicely for the Australian Amateur in a fortnight in Brisbane.

“This is a great feeling, there are so many fine names on this trophy, all great players and now mine is alongside them,” said Sherratt.

“My confidence is there now to go into the Australian Amateur. I’ve had a bit of a break and feel refreshed heading into these events, which is why I feel that I was able to play well this week. I just hope the form continues.”

Daniel Beckmann secured another top-5 finish at a National Trial event, with a 3rd place finish at 12-under-par. Beckmann is due for a win and certainly goes into the Australian Amateur as one of the in-form players.

Two strokes behind Beckmann in tied fourth at 10-under-par were New Zealand’s Daniel Pearce, Matt Jager and Bryden Macpherson.

Sherratt’s best National Trial event performance was previously 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.

The win at Riversdale not only improves Sherratt’s current world ranking of 108, it has secured him an invite into the British Amateur Championship at Formby and West Lancashire in June. The win was also timely as well for the South Australian, particularly with his past efforts of last year.

“That’s a real bonus,” said Sherratt about getting an invite to the British Amateur.

“I was planning to play events in the US later in the year, and I’m certainly looking towards playing in Europe.”

Sherratt’s efforts all week at Riversdale were impressive. A course record 63 on Thursday, followed by three rounds of 68.

The course was not playing easy, yet Sherrat was able to thread his drives through the tight layout and read the devilish Riversdale greens with ease. It certainly was a deserving win for one of the emerging golfing talents on the Australian amateur circuit.