Younger fires course record at Rice Planters
IN: News | US Mens Amateur | Rice Planters Amateur (2007) | Round One | by Anthony Powter | 05 Jul 2007
Josh Younger could not have wished for a better start at the Rice Planters Invitation after the Victorian opened with an equal course record, nine under 63, to have a four stroke margin from fellow Australian Leigh Deagan into the second round.
Younger, who in April won the Mandurah Eastern Amateur, equalled USPGA Tour player Stewart Cink’s 1993 record, in an opening day where eight Australians finished the first round within the top ten.
Scott Arnold continued with his recent form from the runners-up finish in the St Andrews Links Trophy, to be currently T4th, five behind Younger and equal with American Austin Cody at 68 and three under. Rudi Bezuidenhout, Michael Foster and Matthew Griffin follow Arnold at three under, whilst Rohan Blizard and Tim Dugdal round out the top ten, both finishing with a two under 70.
The day certainly belonged to Josh Younger whose game, since winning the Mandurah Eastern Amateur in April, has gone from strength to strength. In 2006 he won the Ivo Whitton Trophy for the lowest average stroke score in designated Victorian amateur events during that year with a score of 67.23.
With wins in the Latrobe Open, Boroondara Cup, the Queenscliff Open, Murray Valley Open and the Bellarine Open, Younger is keen to establish himself on the international stage and certainly attracted attention at Snee Farm Country Club in South Carolina with his round.
There is a large contingent of Australians competing this week and with eight in the top ten of the best openers, the foundations are set for the first Australian victory this tour in America.
Whilst it’s early times and there’s three rounds remaining at the Rice Planters, the Australians are poised to repeat the efforts of Aron Price (2004) and Tristan Lambert (2005), both former winners of the event. In Josh Younger’s case, he is on track to better Aron Price’s tournament record of seventeen under.
Last year’s champion, Tanner Evin opened with a two under 70, to be within the top ten players, whilst Tim Stewart who was runner up to Evin, opened with a disappointing three over 75 and will need to improve to make the third round cut of top 60 and ties.
