Hart retains Federal Amateur lead
BY Anthony Powter | Australian Mens Amateur Tour | 2009 Federal Amateur Open Championship | Round Two | 03 Oct 2009
Queensland’s Tim Hart remains the leader after the second round of the Federal Amateur Open at 9-under-par after rounds of 66-69, for a three stroke margin over Brendan Smith and Patrick Wilson.
Hart looked in control today as the 20-year-old built upon his two stroke margin from yesterday’s opening round. Yet to claim a National Trial event title, Hart has been runner-up on two occasions in main Australian amateur events with the 2009 Mandurah Easter Amateur and the 2008 NSW Amateur Championship.
“I’m confident with the way that I’ve been swinging lately,” said Hart following his round this afternoon.
“I know what to expect with playing these events and getting into the position to win. The course is playing easy with the rain and the greens are soft. I know that I’ll have to keep scoring in the 60’s to take this event out.”
Patrick Wilson and Lincoln Tighe were the second round movers today, after both fired rounds of 6-under-par, 66.
Luke Bleumink and Craig Hancock share 4th place at 5-under-par, whilst Kieran Pratt and Aidan Bae are in a tie for 6th, along with Tighe at 3-under-par.
Defending champion, Matt Jager, is next at 2-under-par after rounds of 69-73, whilst Ryan McCarthy and Daniel Nisbet are at 1-under-par, along with Chris Austin in a tie for 11th.
One of the day’s highlights came from Kieran Pratt, from the Commonwealth Golf Club in Melbourne. Pratt scored an albatross on the par 5, 470 metre 13th hole, the eleventh albatross in Federal’s 61 years at Red Hill.
Hart is playing off a strong inter-state series in Victoria last week and is confident about his game moving into the final two rounds here in Canberra.
“I’ll take each round as it comes,” says Hart.
“There’s still two more rounds and plenty of players close behind, but I feel good with the way I’m playing. I’ll be focusing upon my own game and not their’s, but it is hard not to think about what players like Brendan [Smith] and Luke Bleumink might shoot out there.”
Hart also has some form in main amateur events with five top-10 finishes during the 2009 Australian summer season. He’s due for a main title and whilst it is still early days at the Federal Amateur, Hart currently is the player to beat on the course.
“I know more now with what to expect with finishing events like these off,” he says.
“Let just hope that I can pull this one off.”
At the conclusion of tomorrow’s third round the cut will reduce the field to the top 60 plus ties for the final round to be played on Monday, with the winner receiving an exemption into the 2010 British Amateur.
