Jager, Arnold advance to NZ Semi-Finals

BY Anthony Powter | New Zealand Mens Amateur Tour | 2009 New Zealand Amateur Championship | Quarter-Finals | 27 Apr 2009

Matt Jager and Scott Arnold have progressed to the semi-finals of the New Zealand Amateur Championships at Titirangi Golf Club in Auckland.

Jager needed to dig deep to overcome Ben Wallace, after the New Zealander held the upper hand for the majority of their match. Jager stormed home winning three of the last four holes in a gutsy display of pure determination and commitment.

Matt Jager Audio Interview

“It was a tough match and Ben just kept on holding in there,” said a relieved Jager, who for the best part of the Australian season has struggled with his form.

“The putt on the 17th was critical. We were all square and I was able to hole a 15 footer for a win and that was the fist time I was in the lead for the whole day.”

Wallace, an Auckland local, played peerless golf for the first part of the match and never let Jager into the match. The highlight of his round was an exquisite flop on the 185 metre par 3, 14th where, from off the green, the 20-year-old sank a monster putt to square the hole to remain 1-up with only four to play.

“I had an opportunity on fourteen to get back into the match, but Ben kept holding in there,” remarked Jager.

“It’s good to have tough matches early like that and hopefully I can keep hitting it good off the tee and give myself more opportunities this afternoon.

Jager meets James Hamilton, after the New Zealander accounted for Rob Noffke, 2&1. Jager’s plan for their semi-final match will be no different to what he’s being doing all week, as the Auckland’s winds continue to blow and make playing conditions challenging.

“It’s windy out there and there’s not going to be many birdies made,” says Jager.

“So if you can keep hitting pars, it should get you across the line.”

Australia’s top ranked golfer, Scott Arnold, also had his work cut out for him as he fended off a determined Peter Spearman-Burn, 3&2.

Scott Arnold Audio Interview

The world number eight relishing the winding conditions to set up his semi-final match with Nicol van Wyk, after the South African accounted for Dean O’Riley on the 19th.

“These conditions suit my low ball flight and hopefully I can get into another final,” said Arnold.

“I feel comfortable out there, keeping on the right tier of the green is also important. My game is there, it’s just a matter of keeping focus and being able to hang in there.”

With two Australians in separate halves of the Championship draw, they are just one match away from an all Australian final here in Auckland.

“I was speaking to Scotty this morning in the nets about it,” said Jager about a possible all-Australian final.

“I said let’s just do it and see if we can both make the final and battle it out.”

With the form and dedication both Arnold and Jager are showing, there’s every possibility that their wishes will come to fruition.