Hart opens well at Dogwood
BY Anthony Powter | US Mens Amateur Tour | 2010 Dogwood Invitational | Round One | 01 Jul 2010
Tim Hart finds himself four strokes from the first round leader and local player, Anders Albertson, following the opening round of the Dogwood Invitational at Druid Hills Golf Club in Atlanta, Georgia.
Hart fired an opening round of 5-under-par, 67, to be in a tie for 9th position to be the best of the strong 10-man Australian contingent competing in their first main US amateur tournament for this season at the Dogwood Invitational.
Last week Hart secured a top-20 finish at the Northeastern Amateur in Rhode Island and feels primed with his game following today’s great start.
“I felt good out there today,” said Hart after his opening round.
“This course really suits my game and it’s always nice to start the week with a solid round. I’m just going to stick to my game plan, stay focused and not get too aggressive.”
Many in the field this week at Atlanta have remarked there are plenty of opportunities to score low around the Druid Hills layout and are expecting a low number to collect the title after the four rounds of stroke.
“There are many birdie opportunities out there,” says Hart.
“The course is in superb condition and rewarding quality shots. Full credit has to go to the green staff.”
Ryan McCarthy is the next best Australian behind Hart, currently in a tie for 14th position after opening with a 4-under-par 69. Behind McCarty is Kieran Pratt in a tie for 25th with a 2-under-par 70.
Pratt is competing in his first US tournament for 2010 following a solid stint in the UK that included a top-32 at the British Amateur. A three-time winner this season back in Australia and the highest ranked Australian competing this week at the Dogwood, Pratt is well position following today’s opening round to make a move up the leaderboard and challenge for his first main US amateur title.
Four Australians are currently in a tie for 37th position at 1-under-par, that include Kalem Richardson, Jason Scrivener, Jordan Sherratt and Brendan Smith.
Bryden Macpherson, a Freshman at the University of Georgia where the Melbourne native has been based since January, fired an opening round of even-par, 72, to be in a tie for 45th position. Luke Bleumink and Mitch Krywulycz will need to improve on their opening rounds of 74 and 76 respectively to make an impact on this event.
Forty-four players broke par during the opening round with the world number 1 amateur, American Russell Henley, currently in a tie for 5th at 6-under-par.
