Tampion spurs Aussie men at World Amateur
IN: News | Amateur Golf | World Amateur Team Championships (2006) | Round Two | by Anthony Powter | 28 Oct 2006
Following the opening round of the Men's World Amateur with Australia finishing at T23rd , the team needed to be spurred along and that's exactly what Andrew Tampion's three under second round 69 would have done.
Tampion's round will undoubtedly motivate fellow team members to produce similar results moving into the tail end of the Championship. The Aussies have to make a move if there to have any real chance at this World Championship.
Currently positioned T19th after two of four rounds, it's important to recognise the Australians at 288 only remain 10 shots from the leader Canada. With the level of talent within the Australian team, it's a marginal difference capable of being brought in particularly should one of the leading teams have a blowout in the remaining rounds.
Tampion and Lee are exhibiting strong form and appear to be getting accustom to the tricky conditions. Lee has been ever consistent with two even rounds and joins Tampion at even par for the championship to be positioned T26th in the individual. Dartnall will be seeking to improve on his opening 77 and 75 rounds. The harsh reality for the Australian's is the third round will be a make or break occasion if they are to have any showing in South Africa.
Sweden was the standout performers on the second day, fueled by joint 66's from Oscar Floren and Bjorn Akesson that returned a joint team score for the day at 12 under. Floren plays out of Texas Tech University and with three US Collegiate victories this year and a placing in The Open Championship, the 22 year old Swede is regarded as one of the world's best amateurs.
Defending champions America are within a single shot of the Canadians. Chris Kirk, who was only brought into the team eight days before to replace the injured Web Simpson, fired a six under 66 to elevate his team into second place. Like most players this week, 21 year old Kirk plays the US Collegiate system having recently won the Puerto Rico Classic as well as the Augusta State Invitational and was runner up in the 2005 Dogwood Classic.
Reviewing team profiles at the World Amateur reveals a common thread; the majority of players irrespective of their home nation are in the US Collegiate system. Much has been debated about the benefits of US Collegiate golf and what it can bring to an aspiring golfers game.
Many of Australia's top amateurs have joined the system including Aron Price and Adam Scott. Scott has nothing but praise for the system, remarking recently when asked during the Bridgestone Invitational about moving to the US system early in your career. Scott claims it makes you play outside your comfort zone competing against players that you otherwise wouldn't back home in Australia.
With the vast majority of the players, not just from the American team, who are scoring the sub 70 rounds this week on the US Collegiate system, you cannot help but be appreciate how much of an impact the US system must having on amateur golf, not just within American, but throughout the world as amateurs come from the far corners of the globe to attend the US system.
Team profiles from Europe, Asia and South American all include players who are attending US colleges, whilst not one of the Australian team is based in the US. It's an interesting contrast but debatable whether it's a pre-requisite to winning a World Amateur.
As reflected in Sweden's twelve shot swing early this morning, it's a matter of gelling two low rounds from three scores. That's the secret to winning a World Amateur team championship, not where you're based throughout the year. In Australia's case it's exactly what they need to do, produce two rounds in the mid 60's which all three players are capable of pulling off. Should this occur, things will then get interesting at the World Amateur.
