Drive to survive at Australian Amateur
IN: News | Australian Mens Amateur | Australian Amateur Championship (2007) | by Anthony Powter | 22 Mar 2007
The ability to drive the ball well and keep it on the short stuff is the general consensus among the leading players at the Australian Amateur as to what will get you through to the weekend and the championship proper.
With the field reduced to the leading 70 players plus ties following tomorrow's second round, those fortunate this morning to have early draws took full advantage of the conditions. A bunch of seven players hold the first day lead at 4 under, including Brenton Haines, Andrew Dodt, Kevin Lee and Josh Younger.
Andrew Dodt was the first to post the lead and get into the clubhouse, a result of his straight driving of the ball, where at one stage he sat at 4 under after 9.
"I had a few three putts towards the end that cost me the outright lead but it was my driving that got the job done this morning. Driving the ball at NSW is just critical. You cannot afford to get off the fairways, you just end up in scrub or sand; you'll then struggle to get to the green in two. It's just brutal."
Defending champion Tim Stewart opened at 2 under and found the conditions tough but fair, depending also upon how well you were driving the ball.
"It was a two club difference at NSW in the afternoon as the conditions deteriorated. I'm pleased with the way I played and its important here to drive it straight off the tee. The scrub is just savage, so there's a premium hitting fairways. If you miss them, it will get expensive."
Ray Beaufils shares similar views to that of Stewart and Dodt. Beaufils at 3 under, one behind the leaders has no hesitation in taking the 2 iron off the tee tomorrow afternoon just to stop a score from racking up.
"I'll hit a two iron off every tee tomorrow afternoon if I have to, just to stay on the fairways. It's a driver's course by far and the big hitters have a definite advantage over the shorter guys. If you can hit it long and straight you'll score low. You just have to keep the ball in play. Finish just off the fairway in you're in trouble with sandy lies or you'll be even dead in the scrub. You just can't afford to stray on this course."
Troy Ropiha and Ratanakul, both internationals, are with Beaufils making up the top 10 who are 3 under or better.
Keep a close watch on England's David Horsey, who along with the other Elite English Team players playing this championship, Jamie Moul and Steve Lewton were all strangely paired with late afternoon tee times for the first round. They all battled the afternoon with mixed results, Moul, the R&A World number one ranked amateur finishing 2 under and Lewton at 4 over.
Horsey was able to retain his composure despite the apparent disadvantage with his tee time to finish at 4 under to join the leaders, the vast majority of whom had played in the morning. He now has the benefit of starting a little earlier in the second round and will be looking to break away from the pack of six others, who have to play tomorrow afternoon.
Thirty two players from 70 who make the cut tomorrow evening will qualify on Sunday for the Championship proper. The field is then gradually reduced by elimination matchplay starting Monday, with two players to battle for the title of Australian Amateur Champion in 36 holes of matchplay scheduled next Thursday.
For the victor the spoils follow, with starts in the British Amateur, the Australian Open and the prestige of joining the likes of former champions Brett Rumford, Michael Campbell and Andrew Buckle, all current touring professionals.
There's considerable amount of golf still to be played at this championship and much can, and probably wil,l unfold tomorrow. The players are fully aware they cannot afford to become complacent despite the long journey that lies ahead.
Aaron Pike who finished 2 over for the first round and presently sits on the cut line, sums up their strategy best.
"You go out there to win the stroke play tournament and not even worry about trying to consolidate your rounds to make the top 32 for matchplay. It's those who adapt that strategy who score low in the stroke field and qualify. I'll use my driver when I have to here without hesitation. The moment you start trying to preserve your position, someone is bound to pass you by and you'll end up missing out and that's simply unsatisfactory."
Photo - Anthony Powter
