Giles gets Nationwide call up
BY Anthony Powter | Nationwide Tour | 2009 Nationwide Childrens Hospital Invitational | General | 30 Jul 2009
Matthew Giles will make his Nationwide Tour debut this week with the Children’s Hospital Invitational in Columbus, Ohio.
Giles received a sponsor’s invitation after being named in the First Team All-American following the 2009 NCAA Championships. The invitation represents another feather in his cap following solid performances this season in the US collegiate system.
Giles moved from Sydney to the US in 2008 to be based at the University of South California in Los Angeles, where the 19-year-old has already posted five top-7 finishes in collegiate tournaments during the 2008 season and he is presently ranked 16th in sub-par rounds in the competition.
Giles’ recent performances in top US amateur events have been a little disappointing but he is confident playing this week on the Nationwide Tour will have a positive impact on his game.
“I have been struggling a little but with my game, but things are starting to be shape up nicely this week for me,” remarked Giles.
Having only just returned from an extended break, Giles’ main focus this season is qualifying for the US Amateur later in August.
“I took a good break through the month of June but I haven’t been able to return to where my game was from the last collegiate season,” says Giles.
“Things are really close and I’m looking forward to the challenge of teeing it up with the professionals here in Ohio. With the schedule that I have structured this season giving me more space between events, I’m focussing on having a good performance at the US Amateur. That’s the aim.”
Giles’s primary goal this week is to compete seriously and be playing the weekend.
“Competing on the Nationwide Tour is a great opportunity for me,” he says.
“I’ve been fortunate in the past to play tour events back in Australia, but this is the first time I’ve been able to get a start in a main US event. I’m looking forward to it.”
