Kiwi Lee in superb form at Dogwood
IN: News | US Mens Amateur | Dogwood Invitational (2007) | Round Two | by Anthony Powter | 29 Jun 2007
It was a tournament that promised so much but is yet to deliver, as the Australian contingent continues to struggle at the Dogwood Invitational being played at Druid Hills, Atlanta.
New Zealand’s Danny Lee leads the tournament, following a second round 65 to be eleven under and a stroke ahead of American Chris Kirk. Richie Gallichan is the best placed Australian at two under and T14, nine strokes behind Lee.
Jamie Arnold was unable to build upon an opening 68 after a 76 in the second round, to have him equal with Rohan Blizard at two over and T28. Ten behind Arnold and Blizard, is Josh Younger with rounds of 71-74 to have him at three over and T38.
Tim Stewart improved on his opening 74 with a second round 72 to be T47, whilst Rudi Bezuidenhout, Scott Arnold and Ray Beaufils are all at five over and T50.
The Dogwood Invitational this week has also not been kind to two of our star performers in the British Amateur, with Andrew Dodt and Rick Kulacz both currently at six over and T56.
Kulacz’s one over 72, elevated him from T74 to T56 and the NSW Open champion will be looking to further improve in the remaining two rounds and make a move. Both players are capable of scoring in the low 60’s and will need to draw on their experience to have a decent finish.
Matthew Griffin, who a few weeks previously finished well in the St Andrews Links Trophy, struggled at Druid Hills and fell back 45 positions following a disappointing round of 80 to be T65. Aaron Pike is the last remaining Australian at nine over and T68.
With the door now open for one of New Zealand’s most promising amateurs, Danny Lee has his first major US amateur title in his sights.
Lee, 16, won the New Zealand Amateur earlier this year and was a quarterfinalist in the US Junior Amateur last year. Lee is a player of immense talent at such a young age and it will be interesting to follow Lee and see if he can maintain the momentum for the tournament. Previous results in major events suggest Lee will be a force to be reckoned with at the Dogwood.
As for the Australians, it appears the Dogwood is becoming a case of what could have been.
It’s the first time this tour that all our players have played in a single tournament. They arrived this week at Druid Hills full of confidence, both from impressive results in the UK and in the US, feeling they would be a major force against the Americans. Unfortunately, the Dogwood for many Australians is becoming a real leveller; it’s bitten and it’s bitten hard.
