Jin Jeong ahead at Mandurah

BY Anthony Powter | Australian Mens Amateur Tour | 2009 Mandurah Easter Amateur Championship | Round Two | 12 Apr 2009

Jin Jeong has a one stroke lead at 7-under-par from Daniel Beckmann and Tim Hart going into the final day of the Mandurah Easter Amateur in Western Australia.

Jeong, 18, is seeking his first National Trial event win at Mandurah. The Korean born national plays for Waverley in Victoria and has already collected numerous titles since emerging from the junior ranks in 2007, where he won the Victorian Junior Masters.

Last December Jeong won the Victorian State Amateur Medal by a stroke, holding off a determined Luke Bleumink after Jeong started the final round with an eight stroke lead. Jeong’s best international performance is a tied 4th at the 2008 Sunnehanna Amateur in the US.

At last month’s Australian Amateur Stroke Title Jeong finished runner- up to Bryden Macpherson, after a birdie at the first play-off hole gave the title to Macpherson when both players finished at 7-under-par.

With rounds of 67-70, Jeong has displayed consistent golf around the Mandurah layout where other competitors have struggled over the two rounds.

First round leader, Brody Ninyette, carded a disastrous second round 76 after opening with a 66. He finds himself in a share of fifth at 2- under, along with Liam Spooner and Craig Hancock.

Daniel Beckmann’s 5-under, 67, the day’s low round, elevated him up the leaderboard to be in a tie for second at 6-under, along with Tim Hart.

Beckmann remains confident with his game having played into contention during the last three National Trial events.

“I’m still playing well from Royal Queensland,” said Beckmann, who finished runner-up at the Australian Amateur Championships there to Scott Arnold and last won a National Trial Event in 2007 at the Federal Amateur in Canberra.

“With thirty-six holes of play tomorrow there’s still are a lot a good players in contention and Jin Jeong is one, so it will be a challenge. I feel my game is strong and I’ll just see what number I can pull out tomorrow. A few 68’s should get the job done with a bit of luck.”

Local player Jason Scrivener is in outright 4th at 4-under-par, following two rounds of 70.

Scrivener arguably knows the Mandurah Country Club layout better than any player and will draw upon his local knowledge to make up the three stroke deficit from Jeong, as he seeks for back-to-back victories after collecting last week’s Western Australia Amateur title.

NSW Amateur Champion, Michael Smyth is with Jordan Sherratt and Ashley Umbers at 1-under in a tie for 8th, six strokes back from Jeong.

With 36-holes being played on the final day to determine the championship and nine players within six strokes of Jeong, the Mandurah Easter Amateur remains an open affair.

Jeong will not be easy to overtake having played well recently at the Australian Amateur and knowing what’s required on a final day to get across the line with several previous wins in bigger events already to his credit.

The danger-man for tomorrow’s final round is arguably Beckmann.

Winless since 2007 in Canberra and hungry for another National Trial event title, Beckmann has been the inform player recently. With course records at the Tasmanian Open and at the Riversdale Cup and a runner- up finish at the Australian Amateur, Beckmann is due for a win. Should he secure another course record at Mandurah during the opening final round, Beckmann will take some stopping.

Then again, Jason Scrivener should not be discounted. He’s pumped and confident after collected his first state title and when it’s as close as it currently is at Mandurah, a home course advantage is often the difference required to get the job done.