Nisbet back on top at Keperra Bowl

BY Anthony Powter | Queensland Mens Tour | 2009 Keperra Bowl | Round Three | 14 May 2009

In a season that’s been nothing but spectacular, Daniel Nisbet is set to claim his fourth title in as many starts in tomorrow’s final round of the Keperra Bowl.

Nisbet fired rounds of 64-71-64, to be 17-under and have a two stroke buffer over Michael Williams. Brendan Smith in outright third at 14-under, followed by Max McCardle at 13-under, with Bryden Macpherson and Matt Jager, five from the lead at 12-under-par.

“It’s great to be in with the mix,” said Nisbet this evening.

“You cannot take anything for granted, as this course can do anything to you. I’m hitting the driver and putting well, but I’ll have to shoot another low number to take this out tomorrow, that’s for sure.”

With five players within five strokes of the lead, the opportunity to deny Nisbet of his fourth straight title remains open, but the gap is narrowing.

“There’s a chance there to catch Dan [Nisbet],” says Macpherson, whose with Matt Jager in a tie for 5th, five behind Nisbet.

“Someone will take advantage of the course and come in with a 64 or 63 and win. There’s plenty of players capable of doing it, but the light is fading as Dan’s playing too well.

Brendan Smith, who finished runner-up to Scott Arnold at this year’s Lake Macquarie Amateur, has fired rounds of 68-67-67, to be only three behind Nisbet at 14-under.

“It will be all go tomorrow,” says Smith.

“You have to take advantage of the front nine and make the turn three or four under. If you miss any opportunities there, you’ll struggle to challenge tomorrow.”

Macpherson was one in the field to defy the trend, playing the back nine at 5-under and making birdies on the last three holes for his third round 7-under-par, 65.

“You just have to have confidence with your putter on these greens,” said the Australian and New Zealand Men’s Stroke Champion.

“They are playing slow and it’s hard to be aggressive when the pace is like that. Other than that, you have to capitalise on the par 5’s here and just go low.”

Despite being five from the lead, Jager is optimistic with his changes, but appreciates the enormity of the challenge he faces in tomorrow’s final round.

“You go out there knowing that a low number is needed,” says the New Zealand Amateur Champion.

“I’m having a little trouble reading the greens and my putting has not been the same as it was in New Zealand. If I get that going tomorrow, I feel I put in a good show here.”

Michael Williams have played peerless golf this week at Keperra. Playing the final pairing with Nisbet and Smith will be William’s opportunity to stamp his respective mark on the major amateur scene.

“I’ve come here with no real expectations,” says Williams, a winner of the Jack Newton under-18 state title.

“I’ll go out there tomorrow and enjoy being amongst it. This is a great experience for me, I’m driving the ball well, so hopefully I can keep the score there.”

Nisbet last month won the South Australian Amateur Classic last month wire to wire, before going onto win the Queensland Men’s Amateur Stroke and Queensland Men’s Amateur Championship last week.

This week at Keperra, Nisbet has produced the same level of golf as he’s done in the three previous tournaments. There difference is this is a course were a blotter can rain on Nisbet’s parade.

The field is full of potential challengers, from Macpherson, Jager, Williams and Smith. The stage is again set for a stellar finish to a National Trial event, although Nisbet has a hand currently on the Keperra Bowl and it will take some effort to have it removed.