Arnold, Beckmann Match Up for Amateur

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

The script for the final day of the Mens Australian Amateur could not have been written any better with two of Australia’s top amateurs through to the final.

Scott Arnold and Daniel Beckmann will contest their first ever match up for the honour of being crowned the Australian Amateur Champion.

It’s Beckmann’s third attempt at the title, whilst Arnold has made the venture to this championship on four occasions. Neither player has previously progressed past the first round of the championship.

Arnold and Beckmann have experienced different pathways to the final and it’s not been without controversy.

Earlier in the week, Beckmann looked certain to claim the Australian Amateur Stroke title, only to be penalised by Golf Australia Officials for failing to read the small print dealing with practice during a round. It was a rule most of the field knew little about. It cost Beckmann two strokes and the Stroke Play title.

Beckmann himself oblivious to the technicality at the time, has managed to put the issue aside and has lived another day to set himself up for one of the biggest matches of his career.

Daniel Beckmann Interview

Daniel Beckmann birdied the final three holes to push the 2009 Australian Amateur semi-final to the 19th hole where Beckmann won with a birdie

The Victorian has preferred to let his clubs do the talking with wins over Michael Smyth, 2&1, Craig Hasthorpe, 1up and in this morning’s quarter-final was too strong for Jason Scrivener, winning 3&2.

Arnold, at times during this championship, has looked to have the cruise control on. There were relatively easy wins earlier in the week over Adam Wanwright and Daniel McGraw.

Kieran Pratt offered some resistance in the this orning’s quarter-final pushing their match to the 17th, where Arnold arguably produced the shot of the day, a peerless 8 iron on the 202 metre par 3 to a few inches to clinch the match over a resilient Pratt.

Arnold then accounted for Blake McGrory in the afternoon’s semi-final, 3&2, with McGrory having trouble with the flat stick with numerous putts refusing to drop.

In contrast, Arnold’s blade was on target, with each birdie putt adding another nail into McGrory’s coffin. Arnold never let the New Zealander into the match.

Arnold remains in scintillating form, his confidence at an all time high. With each match his fondness with Royal Queensland’s layout grows.

“This is a top matchplay layout,” he said this evening.

“You have options off the tee and in places it’s wide, so you can be aggressive with the driver. Combine those factors and the way Daniel [Beckmann] is playing, it will make for a interesting final.”

Beckmann and Arnold both know each others game. They should as they’ve spent countless hours travelling and playing the same major amateur tour events, both locally and internationally.

“This is matchplay and anything can happen,” says Beckmann, 21.

“I’m focusing solely on my own game and will try to block out Scott tomorrow. It will be hard as we know each other and sure there will be some banter between us, why not that’s match play, but it will be in good fun.”

On paper, Arnold arguably has the better credentials of the two. The 22-year-old has won locally with his maiden National Trial event the 2008 Riversdale Cup, when he defeated Kieran Pratt on the first playoff hole.

In January this year Arnold won the Lake Macquarie Amateur for his second National Trial event title, to build upon his first major amateur win which was back in 2006, with the Hong Kong Open Amateur. Presently, Arnold enjoys the status as Australia’s highest ranked amateur with a 9th world ranking.

Beckmann in contrast has a world ranking of 63, a ranking that is possibly a little underdone because Beckmann has not competed in fewer international tournaments.

Since the NEC Master of the Amateurs in January, where Beckmann held the lead going into the final round only to miss a playoff with Americans Rickie Fowler and Mark Anderson, his game has flourished.

In Beckmann’s own words he feels that he’s “due for a win”.

Few will argue with such an assessment as Beckmann continues to be the inform player this summer with course records falling his way at the Tasmanian Open, Riversdale Cup and this week at Royal Queesland. He’s gone low, whilst his confidence has gone high.

Beckmann’s game is one of a player possessed. He’ll be hoping the form continues tomorrow against Arnold.

It will need to be, as Arnold presents one big hurdle for Beckmann to get over. Either way, it’s one big match up at the Australian Men’s Amateur.