Aussie Smith makes top-32 at US Amateur

BY Anthony Powter | US Mens Amateur Tour | 2009 US Amateur Championship | Matchplay Round One | 27 Aug 2009

Australia’s Matthew Smith has progressed to the top-32 at the US Amateur with a convincing 4&3 win over Andrew Funk following the first matchplay round of the championship at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Smith was the 45th qualifier of the 36-hole stroke format finishing at 7-over-par with rounds of 78-69, a stroke inside the cut mark. Medallist honours went to Tim Jackson on Tuesday after the American fired a second round 70 to leave him at even par after opening with a 2-under-par 68.

Jackson, a two-time USGA Mid-Amateur champion, accounted for John Kostis, 5&4, in his opening match today, whilst the world number one amateur Rickie Fowler has bowed out in what will probably be his last appearance at a US Amateur Championship, losing his match 3&1 to fellow US Walker Cup player, Bud Cauley.

Fowler was not the only high profile causality from today’s first matchplay round after a number of pre-tournament favourites lost their opening matchplay rounds.

Nathan Smith, Brian Harman and Morgan Hoffmann all lost their matches on either the 18th or in extra holes. Harman lost in 19 holes to Chris Ward, while Hoffmann lost to Charlie Holland on the first extra hole. Brendan Gielow, Drew Weaver and Adam Mitchell didn’t advance out of stroke play. That leaves only one Walker Cup player remaining in the championship, Bud Cauley.

With 25 players from America in the top-32, Smith doesn’t feel at all out of place. The Texas Tech based 22-year-old is at ease with his game and at how far he’s progressed in the championship.

“The tournament has become wide open with some of the bigger names not getting through today,” said Smith after today’s match.

“Any player that has made it this far has a chance to take out the championship. The level of competition is simply awesome and it is something that I’ve never experienced before.”

Smith qualified for this year’s US Amateur taking medallist honours at sectional qualifying in Ralls Course, Texas. His game continues to improve with each round as he becomes familiar with the Southern Hills layout.

“You simply try and play the course as it is,” says Smith.

“With the shorter par-4’s, you cannot over hit your drive, as position off the tee is important. Today I managed to position the ball well, which made it easier to go into the greens with my approach. The way the course is set up, you appreciate quickly how important it is to position the ball in the right spots. The rough is unbelievable and if you miss the green you’ll be in trouble.”

Smith will meet Nico Geyger the 13th seed from Chile in tomorrow’s round of 32 after Geyger won his match 1-up from Derek Ernst.

“I know of him from collegiate golf here,” says Smith.

“Anyone who has advanced this far has to be playing well, so it will be a tough match. You try not to focus on how they are playing, but rather stick to your own game plan. That will be my strategy tomorrow.”

Smith will be aiming to survive the two match play rounds scheduled tomorrow to advance to Friday’s quarter-finals.

“The whole process is such a tough test,” says Smith, who was awarded the 2006 Vardon Trophy for the top amateur golfer in New South Wales and secured three amateur tournaments in Australia winning the Yowani Open Amateur, Australian Capital Territory Open and the Cromer Bowl before moving to the US in 2007.

Throughout its history the US Amateur has been considered the most coveted of all amateur titles. Many of the great names of professional golf such as Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Lanny Wadkins, Craig Stadler, Jerry Pate, Mark O’Meara, Hal Sutton, Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods, grace the Havemeyer Trophy.

Last year New Zealand’s Danny Lee defeated American Drew Kittleson, 5&4, at Pinehurst Resort & Country Club to become the youngest US Amateur champion in the event’s 113-year history. One month past his 18th birthday, Lee was six months younger than Woods was when he won the 1994 US Amateur.

To the victor goes the spoils, with this year’s champion receiving an exemption into The Open Championship and a likely invitation to play The Masters. There’s also an exemption to qualify for the US Open. With the stakes so high, you can easily see why the world’s best amateurs place such importance on the event.

“All season you aim to peak around US Amateur qualification time and to make it through to match play is something special,” says Smith.

“All the top amateurs in the US aim to be ready for this championship and having gone through the process you appreciate what a massive event the championship is. The level of competition is simply amazing.”

As for tomorrow’s morning encounter with Geyger, Smith knows the enormity of the task that lays ahead with this US Amateur championship.

“I’ll be taking it each match at a time, that’s all you can do,” says Smith.

“I feel great with my game and it’s an awesome feeling to be able to make the top-32. Let’s just see how things transpire out there tomorrow, but it certainly is great to be playing and to be in with a chance.”