Aussies battle hard at St Andrews Links

BY Anthony Powter | World Amateur Mens Tour | 2009 St. Andrews Links Trophy | Round One | 06 Jun 2009

The first round of the St Andrews Links Trophy in Scotland has seen the six man Australian contingent open with mixed results.

Daniel Nisbet is the best Australian with a 3-over-par, 74, around The New Course. Nisbet’s round was highlighted by signs of brilliance including five birdies, but gave those back to the field with six bogeys and a double.

A three time winner back home in Australia this season with the Golf SA Amateur Classic, the Queensland Amateur Championship and the Keperra Bowl, Nisbet is currently in a tie for 65th position, seven from the leader, Scotland’s Ross Kellett.

Kellett holds the opening round lead following a 4-under-par, 67, around the New Course, after firing a bogey free round with his four birdies being carded on the front nine alone.

Paul O’Hara, another Scottish native from Motherwell south east of Glasgow, is a shot behind Kellett after posting 68 around The New Course.

Matt Jager, Brendan Smith and Bryden Macpherson are a stroke behind Nisbet, having opened with rounds of 75 with the three Australians in a tie for 89th position.

The opening initiation to the home of golf was not surprisingly a stern challenge for the Australians.

“It was tough, probably a two club wind blowing all day,” said Jager after his round, which included four birdies and eight bogeys.

“The greens had firmed and fastened since our practice round on Wednesday, so it was a very different course.”

Many in the strong international field of 144 have remarked this week that The Old Course at St Andrews is playing a little easier than The New Course.

“The Old Course arguably provides more opportunity to go lower, but that obviously depends upon what the conditions are like tomorrow,” says Jager.

“I was striking the ball well out there today. The greens are extremely fast and coupled with the wind, makes putting a challenge. For me it’s becoming more about speed control with my putting.”

The Australians are booked for afternoon tee times on The Old Course in the second round and will be seeking to make their move into the top 40 plus ties, who qualify for the 36-hole final to be played on the Old Course on Sunday.

At present the Australians are outside the cut bubble, which is anticipated to come in at two over following tomorrow’s second round.

Jason Scrivener had an opening round he would rather forget, an uncharacteristic 82 around The New Course, whilst Lincoln Tighe opened with a 76 to be in a share of 101st position.

Keeping in perspective the closeness of the scores following today’s round with Nisbet, Jager, Smith and Macpherson only eight from the leaders, anything is possible. They’ve all come to appreciative that playing Scottish links is about minimising errors, which will be their focus tomorrow.

“It’s a matter of course management and minimising your mistakes out there,” says Jager.

“No one is actually ripping it apart as the conditions are tough. You just have to keep those bogeys off your card and you’ll return a good score.”

“You can easily rack up a big number on just one hole on these courses and you have to play to prevent that.”