Moore to beat at Players Amateur
IN: News | US Mens Amateur | Annual Players Amateur (2006) | Round Three | by Anthony Powter | 16 Jul 2006
You would like to think it's anything but an open and shut affair going into the final round of The Players Amateur. The problem is Jonathan Moore, the number 2 ranked US amateur holds the lead, courtesy of a second round 62.
Moore has shot the lights out of the Belfair Golf Club in Bluffton, South Carolina, with rounds of 67,62 and 66 to be positioned 18 under to enjoy a three shot buffer over fellow American, Robert Riesen. Another seasoned US collegiate player with a resume that oozes of class, Moore was member of the 2006 NCAA Division 1 National Championship team, the 2006 Maxwell Invitational Champion and a member of the 2006 NCAA All-American 1st Team.
Whilst there are number of Australasian players within reach of the American moving into the final round, they are going to have to find something extraordinary to pass the American.
Won Joon Lee is currently the best placed Australian in tied second position, five shots behind Moore, as is Ashley Hall. Hall comes off a solid finish with a semi-final position last week in the North & South Amateur Championship and is primed to make his mark in the US.
Won Joon Lee's third round 64 elevated the Australian National Squad Team member up the leaderboard in a round that was punctuated with some serious big hitting, a strategy he has applied in the past with mixed success.
Whilst Lee was fortunate to use his power on the first play off hole of the 2006 NSW Amateur Championship, a 305 metre par 4, to claim the title over Englishman Garry Wolstenholme, it was in the same event the year earlier that Lee applied the "power" during a critical part the final, only to give the title to Mitchell Brown.
Lee will have to rely on more than his big hitting to claim The Players Amateur and his recent performances on the international amateur stage of late, both in the UK and in the US have been somewhat sporadic, suggesting there is more to the game than just length. It will be interesting to see how Lee responds to the pressure during the final round and whether he can make up the deficit simply with power alone.
Jamie Arnold is another Australasian player exhibiting consistent form of late, not only during the US major amateur campaign but also at the British Amateur.
A quite achiever, the Australian National Squad member, has posted solid rounds of 69, 67 and a 66 to sit T6th. Arnold commented earlier the Belfair course suits his game. With the experiences gained during his recent UK campaign and Arnold's form during the Australian summer, he is a player awaiting the opportunity to crack a major US amateur title. Given the right circumstances, Arnold will do so and for those who know him will not be surprised.
"The course is set up well for us (the Australians) and suits my game. Ever since we have arrived in the US, we have been treated tremendously and it's reflecting in the way we are playing. The boys are really enjoying the experience and playing in the US has shown we are in with a chance each week."
New Zealander, Josh Geary is also having a good tournament and shares T11th with Arnold. The next Australian is Rick Kulacz, who at eight under sits T19th. Phillip Watkins, Leigh Deagan, Andrew Dodt, Andrew Tampion and Tristan Lambert are position well back in the field and unlikely to pose an threat this week.
Considered as one of the most prized amateur majors in the US, past champions of The Players Amateur include British Open Champion, Ben Curtis, Michael Sims, Bill Haas and Camilo Villegas, all of whom are USPGA Tour players.
Australia's Aron Price won the tournament in 2004. This year our best chances rest with the inform Ashley Hall and Jamie Arnold. It is doubtful Won Joon Lee, given his recent performances, can reduce the five shot deficit. Unfortunately that strategy does not wash in major US amateur events like The Players Amateur, which are played on a tight layout with horrendous rough. There is simply too much talent and experience in the field, many of whom have previously attempted the "power" strategy, only to find limited success.
Moore will present a stiff challenge moving into the final day. Having recently won the NCAA Championship, the number 2 ranked US amateur was voted this season's "Phil Mickelson" Award winner, an award which goes to America's outstanding Division 1 NCAA golfer. Moore can withstand pressure as was shown during the NCCA Championship when the pressure came in waves, yet the Oklahoma State player stayed calm to win the individual title on the final day and secure the Championship for his team.
No doubt when the pressure starts tomorrow, Moore will draw upon his experience in the US collegiate system as well as having played the 2006 US Open at Winged Foot.
It will take some doing to pass Moore, but there is plenty of Australasian talent ready to take it up to the American.
