Nisbet moves into contention at Sahalee
BY Anthony Powter | US Mens Amateur Tour | 2009 Sahalee Players Championship | Round Three | 03 Jul 2009
Two solid rounds of 67-68 has moved the inform Daniel Nisbet within striking distance of collecting his maiden US amateur major title at the Sahalee Players Championship in Seattle.
A four-time winner this Australian summer, Nisbet is at 8-under-par after rounds of 73-67-68 and just a stroke behind current leader Eddie Olson moving into tomorrow’s final round.
Nisbet, playing in his second Sahalee Players Championship, will draw upon his previous experience playing the Sahalee Country Club to attack the layout in an attempt to make up the difference from Olson. The Australian is confident and relaxed regarding his prospects of moving on the leader.
“This almost feels like a second home for me,” said Nisbet this evening.
“I know the layout and what is expected out there. So tomorrow should be an interesting round and hopefully I can take it out.”
As a junior Nisbet won everything including the 2008 Australian Junior Championship, the Gary Player Classic, Jack Newton International, Tasmanian Junior, the Aaron Baddeley World Final in China and he was twice winner of the Australian Junior Order of Merit. This is in effect his first tour of the US since evolving from the junior ranks and Nisbet is ready to stake his claim as being one of the world’s best amateurs.
“I’m striking and putting the ball really well this week,” said the 18-year-old.
“I’ve been playing a lot of golf of late and feel like I’m match fit for this tournament. This tournament means a lot to me and I’ve a lot of fond memories playing here.”
The other remaining Australian in the field, Matthew Giles, fired rounds of 79-73-76 to be currently in a tie for 45th.
The Sahalee Players is Nisbet’s first United States amateur event of the summer after travelling over from the UK where his best result was a tied 4th at the prestigious St Andrews Links Trophy.
The world number 23 recorded four wins from four starts this Australian season and created history with the longest winning major Australian amateur title streak after securing the Golf SA Amateur Classic at Royal Adelaide, the Queesland Amateur Stroke, Queensland Amateur and the Keperra Bowl in May.
“I feel like I’m playing as well as I was back home,” says Nisbet
“I’m putting and striking the ball probably the best that I’ve been for a while. Tomorrow is another round. I had a bit of a rough start and it’s good to record to some good rounds.”
Nisbet is relaxed with the prospect of where he’s positioned in Seatlle, yet aware of the task at hard.
“I know the course really well and have been here for the last week. Hopefully tomorrow I can get the ball rolling, sink some puts, hit some fairways and get off to a great start. It will be tough as there’s plenty of quality players out there, yet my game is feeling strong.”
Nisbet is ready to take out his first maiden US amateur title and he brings some stellar form to his campaign this season to the US. A prodigious talent at just 18, the Queenslander is ready to make his respective mark on American soil, just like he did during the Australian summer.
“Sahalee Country Club means a lot to me,” says Nisbet.
“I’m close to two families here and I would dearly like to do well as this tournament means a lot to me. It really feels like that I’m at home and tomorrow will not be any different to any other tournament, but I be trying to apply pressure early and just see how I go.”
