Lee ready to strike at Dogwood
IN: News | US Mens Amateur | Dogwood Invitational (2007) | Round Three | by Anthony Powter | 30 Jun 2007
If the scores are an indication, there’s little doubt the Dogwood Invitational attracted one of the strongest fields so far this season in a US amateur major. American players striving for Walker Cup selection had its part, not to mention the tournament’s timing as the amateur circuit begins its full swing of tournaments leading up to the Walker Cup and US Amateur Championship.
Two over was the cut, with the top thirty plus ties, advancing. Three Australians were amongst the qualifiers with Jamie Arnold and Richie Gallichan the best. They’re currently one under and T19 moving into the final day, fourteen strokes behind leader Chris Kirk whose rounds of 68-64-66 has the American two strokes ahead of New Zealand’s Danny Lee.
Danny Lee has been the star performer in New Zealand amateur events this season and Lee is positioned to become the youngest player to claim the Dogwood Invitational title. A third round 69, to be at thirteen under has the 16 year-old within striking distance of leading the tournament.
Ray Beaufils’ third round 67, the second best score for the day, has the third Australian qualifier at plus one and T30 for the tournament. Beaufils was just happy with making the cut this week, in an event that punished the vast majority of the strong Australian contingent.
“You feel like you have just stepped out onto a seven-star resort playing here,” commented Beaufils.
“My golf has been a little scrappy, but you have to be so much on your game in these events. The courses are set up hard, position off the tee is all important, otherwise where they put the pins, you have no chance of getting close.”
Jamie Arnold attributes his good form this week to putting his old trusty putter back in the bag. Like Beaufils, he understands the importance of position off the tee on the Druid Hills layout.
“I’ve changed back to my old putter ‘Goldie’ and she is working a treat. Out there today I holed some nice putts and that kept my round going,” said Arnold.
“The course is great but also very tough in places that you don’t realise. This week has been a bit of an adjustment for us having come from freezing conditions in the UK to the American heat.”
“My game is coming together and I’m looking forward for a low round tomorrow to put me inside the top ten. It’s a tough tournament and the level of competition is high and the scores reflect that.”
Whilst American Chris Kirk takes a two stroke lead into the final round of the Dogwood Invitational, Danny Lee is well placed to strike his first major US amateur event.
Lee recently has been the inform New Zealand player, having secured his national amateur title earlier in the year, as well as successfully defending his country’s under 23 national championship. At only 16, Lee has achieved alot in amateur golf and was the first New Zealander sine 1999 to qualify for last year’s US Amateur Championship. We certainly will be hearing a lot more about Lee in years to come.
The current leader, however, will be no easy pushover for Lee.
Kirk, who played out of Georgia State, had a stellar US collegiate career and was instrumental in Georgia winning the 2005 National Championship. A recipient of the Ben Hogan Award, one of the highest honours for an American amateur, he is unlikely to let his advantage go easily moving into tomorrow’s final round.
