Arnold brother tops Dogwood field

BY Anthony Powter | US Mens Amateur Tour | 2007 Dogwood Invitational | Round One | 28 Jun 2007

Following the opening round of the Dogwood Invitational, Jamie Arnold is the best Australian, closing with a three under 68 to be T9th, five strokes from the leader, American Brian Harman.

Harman, a 2005 US Walker Cup team member and the 2003 US Junior Amateur champion, recorded an impressive eight under 63, to hold the lead by three shots from New Zealander, Danny Lee and Michael Haverfield, who are both at five under.

Matthew Griffin was the next best Australian returning a one under 70 (T20th), a score he was pleased with, given the pace of the greens at Druid Hills Golf Club.

“My game feels really good and I’m hitting the ball nicely. The putter is working well this week, which is essential here.”

“The course is in great shape, greens running real fast, rumour is they’re about 13 on stimpmeter.”

Griffin, like many of the Australians who have just returned from the UK is impressed by the American hospitality and quality of the events, both with the field and the courses the tournaments are played.

“You need to make lots of birdies as you’re going to make some bogeys. The course here this week is fantastic and it lifts your game.”

Scott Arnold, Jamie’s brother, who opened the tournament with Josh Younger with an even par round 71 to be T29th, agrees the American events are in a league of their own.

“The course is amazing it’s so good it actually reminds you of Augusta National on a few holes with the white sand, it’s just so pure,” commented Arnold, who finished only last month finished runner-up in the 2007 St Andrews Links Trophy.

“The most important thing here is the greens,” said Arnold.

“They’re running 13 on the stimp and I haven’t really putted on greens this quick, besides the Riversdale Cup and they’re pretty hard to read. Today I hit sixteen greens in regulation and just couldn’t hole a thing. I three putted twice on the back nine for bogeys on the two par fives on 14 and 18, so that hurt a bit.”

The remaining Australians will have to make a move following disappointing opening rounds.

Rudi Bezuidenhout, who led this tournament after the second round last year at ten under, shot a one over 72, along with Richie Gallichan, to be T40th. Rohan Blizard and Aaron Pike share T52 at two over. Andrew Dodt, Ray Beaufils and Tim Stewart then followed after opening rounds of three over 74.

Rick Kulacz and Michael Foster were the remaining Australians, Kulacz having a disappointing five over 76, whilst Foster was unable to get his game going, finishing eight over and in T80th place.