Arnold in box seat at Amateur

BY Anthony Powter | Australian Mens Amateur Tour | 2009 Australian Amateur Championship | Quarter-Finals | 24 Mar 2009

Scott Arnold will take some stopping at Royal Queensland after Australia’s highest ranked world amateur set up a semi-final berth against Blake McGrory.

Arnold defeated Kieran Pratt in the morning’s quarter-final, 2&1, and feels that his game just keeps on getting stronger with each match.

“I played well in the opening holes this morning and was able to get off to a good start,” said the world number 11.

“My swing is still smooth with every match that goes by and I’m starting to read the greens. I’m feeling positive with my swing and going for the shots that I want out there.”

Arnold’s opponent in the afternoon’s semi-final is New Zealander, Blake McGrory, winner of the 2007 Lake Macquarie Amateur. McGrory over the last two years has been struggling with his swing, experiencing mixed success in major amateur events since his win at Belmont.

“I’ve been rebuilding my swing,” said McGrory after this morning’s quarter-final win against Brendan Smith on the 19th hole.

“It’s obviously working as I’m playing the best that I have for some time. I like this course. To win you obliviously need to make birdies. I did that against Brendan Smith and with the way Scott [Arnold] appears to be playing, I’ll have to do the same this afternoon.”

Scott Arnold Interview

Scott Arnold defeated Kieran Pratt, 2&1, to progress to a semi final encounter with Blake McGrory

In the top half of the semi-final draw, New Zealander Ryan Fox will meet Daniel Beckmann, after Fox accounted for fellow countryman, Ben Wallace 2&1.

Fox, who plays out of Auckland Golf Club has exhibited stellar form this championship. The New Zealander’s recent achievements include a top-10 finish at the New Zealand Under 23 Championships and strong performances this year at the Lake Macquarie Amateur and the Riversdale Cup.

“This is my first year playing the Australian amateur events and I’m relishing the challenge,” Fox remarked.

“I’ve never played against Daniel [Beckmann], but I’ll continue to be aggressive with the driver to enable me to attack the greens with shorter clubs. The greens are difficult to hold and you have to have a pure approach shot to get in close.”

Any thoughts Daniel Beckmann had regarding the official’s ruling during the Australian Amateur Stroke Championship, where Beckmann was caught unaware with a newly introduced rule regarding practising during a round which effectively costing Beckmann the Stroke title, have faded.

“That ruling probably has kept me alive in this championship,” said Beckmann.

“Each year the Stroke Champion seems to get knocked out in the first round. It happened to Bryden [Macpherson] and Dodty [Andrew Dodt] as well as Jason Day a few years back. I’m still going and only have one more match to get through to make the final. I’m wrapped with the way I’m playing and feel confident with my game.”

Arnold’s consistency in these is very convincing and he’ll take some stopping in this championship. Arnold looks extremely confident playing the Royal Queensland layout and is getting stronger with each match. This is the furthest in his four starts at the Australian Amateur that Arnold has progressed and his momentum is there.

“I love the pressure with match play,” says Arnold.

“To me this is pure golf and there’s no better form.”