Blizard takes 2007 Australian Amateur title
IN: News | Australian Mens Amateur | Australian Amateur Championship (2007) | Grand Final | by Anthony Powter | 29 Mar 2007
They say membership has its benefits and in Rohan Blizard’s case, it proved priceless in claiming the Australian Amateur Championship, 3 & 2 from Justin Roach at his home club, NSW Golf Club.
With membership you not only get to know the subtleties of the greens, how the ball will fall and where to hit approach shots, but most importantly where to drive the ball. Vital attributes to scoring well around the NSW layout and Blizard used this to his full advantage all week.
Victory in the Australian Amateur Championship is sure to provide the springboard to launch Blizard’s golfing career.
“It wasn’t until the last hole when I holed the putt, that I felt the Championship was mine. Justin [Roach] just kept coming at me all day, and I had to play well just to beat him.”
Blizard maintains a change in his stance at address when putting just after lunch, provided the necessary momentum to forge ahead by three holes during the middle part of his match with Roach.
“I just changed my stance in my putting and then I just started to hole some putts. It feels even better to win this at my home course. They put the pins in a few places today, like on 11, which was right at the back. A little local knowledge definitely helped there, I was able to get my ball up on the top level each time today.”
There were already scheduled tournaments in the UK and America; claiming the Australian Amateur now may open doors to main American Invitational events, tournaments Blizard would love to play.
“I’ve pretty much worked out my schedule, so the win today will not change it that much. There’s some events, mainly the big invitationals, that I would like to play in the States, so I’ll be looking into those.”
Blizard moves next onto the Mandurah Easter Open, then onto the New Zealand Amateur. The Australian Amateur is Blizard’s second major victory this year, after winning the Tasmanian Open and his 61st world ranking is sure to improve after his win at NSW.
The final was not all easy going for Blizard, with Roach applying pressure early in the morning, with only a hole separating the two after 18 holes. Blizard’s noted for his short game, and it was no more evident on the 33rd hole (NSW Signature par 3, 6th), when a majestic flop shot secured his par and kept Roach out of the match as the pair went down the 34 hole; Blizard 3 up.
Roach leaves this year’s Australian Amateur feeling his game, s on the right track. It’s been a fantastic year for Roach, not only with his performance at this Australian Amateur and his effort at the Lake Macquarie Amateur, but the way he’s pressed in the majority of major amateur tournaments this year.
“I’m stoked with how my game is at the moment. This week I’ve enjoyed every day. What more can I say, I’m simply stoked.”
At the beginning of this Championship, over 100 players had their sights on The Challenge Cup; today it was only down to two.
Rohan Blizard is a worthy Australian Amateur Champion, quiet in nature, packing a lethal short game, particularly regarding the short stick. His game is more akin to a smiling assassin, who goes about his business with minimal fuss, securing results when required.
Talking to him this afternoon following his win, he was still questioning his alignment at address when putting and considering further changes. It’s an issue the Australian Amateur Champion is still not comfortable with, despite it being the one change that resulted in the turning point of the match today.
When he looks at The Challenge Cup later this evening with his name engraved along with Andrew Buckle, Brett Rumford and Michael Campbell, he might just forget about alignment for a while. He should, as there’s every reason for the Blizard camp to celebrate.
