Victory for Beckmann at Mandurah
BY Anthony Powter | Australian Mens Amateur Tour | 2009 Mandurah Easter Amateur Championship | Round Four | 13 Apr 2009
Daniel Beckmann withstood a determined Tim Hart to collect his second National Trial event with the Mandurah Easter Amateur in Western Australia.
Beckmann finished the tournament at 14-under after rounds of 71-67-68-68, to win by two strokes and claim another National Trial Event title to his credit after winning the Federal Amateur back in 2007.
Darren Beckmann Audio Interview
“It’s [a win] always been there and I’ve said before it was only a matter of time before I got another title,” said an elated Beckmann.
During the last three months Beckmann has fired on all cylinders at the top Australian amateur events with four top-10 finishes and course records at the Tasmanian Open and at the Riversdale Cup. A runner-up finish to Scott Arnold at last month’s Australian Amateur Championship, reflective of Beckmann’s form and consistency this season.
Throughout the season Beckmann has been close to another National Trial title only to have the odd single round damage his chances, like at the NEC Master of the Amateurs where he led into the final day only to miss the playoff with Rickie Fowler and Mark Anderson by a stroke.
At the Tasmanian Open in February, Beckmann fired a course record 65 in the final round to elevate himself in to outright fifth after a second round 75 had damaged his chances. The 21-year-old has been there in the thick of the action, but just not able to get going four consistent rounds in a tournament.
“It’s always been there,” Beckmann says.
“I’ve been feeling like I’ve been that close, but just haven’t quite got it across the line. It just feels really good to get that title this week.”
Matt Jager fired the tournament low round with a 7-under-par final round 65, moving him into outright 3rd position at 9-under, after earlier rounds of 69-76-69. Local Gavin Reed was in 4th position, three strokes behind Jager at 6-under, whilst this year’s winner at the Riversdale Cup, Jordan Sherratt, had another strong performance finishing in 5th at 5-under-par.
Pre-tournament favourite and last week’s winner at the Western Australian Amateur, Jason Scrivener, finished in equal 8th position at 2-under along with overnight leader, Jin Jeong, who fired rounds of 76-73.
Today’s victory was a well-deserved and timely win for Beckmann, the result of pure determination and trust with himself and his swing. He rightfully joins the likes of Geoff Ogilvy, Jarrod Moseley, Brett Rumford and James Nitties, all of whom have experienced success at Mandurah.
“It’s great to get another win against the quality of the field playing this week,” said Beckmann this evening.
“The last five tournaments I’ve been right up there, but just haven’t quite gone the whole distance. I’ve been streaky, but just haven’t been able to put those four rounds together. I managed to do that today.”
Beckmann was obviously relieved to be back in the winner’s circle. He’s missed the rush that comes from winning National Trial event titles and he was clearly savouring the moment this evening.
“To finally do it just feels great. I fell like my whole game is just coming together at the moment and I’m hoping that I can even get better and keep it going.”
