Younger maintains lead at Rice Planters
IN: News | US Mens Amateur | Rice Planters Amateur (2007) | Round Two | by Anthony Powter | 06 Jul 2007
Josh Younger maintains a three stroke margin over American Thomas Todd Jr after a second round two under 70, to be eleven under for the tournament. Rudi Bezuidenhout and Matthew Griffin are the next Australians, five strokes behind Younger, both at six under and T3rd.
Thomas Todd, who had to qualify for the Rice Planters earlier in the week, elevated himself into contention in the second round with a 63, equalling the course record that Younger matched yesterday.
“I was very happy with yesterday’s round I shot 2 under on the front nine then 7 under around the back,” commented Younger.
“I guess it was one of those days were everything went the way you want it to go. I tied the course record with Stewart Cink, which is pretty good when you think about it.”
Younger has kept yesterday’s round in perspective, appreciative that the Rice Planters is a four round tournament, but he remains confident about his game and how he is playing this week.
“It’s only round one and there’s plenty of golf left, but my game this week feels good and we will see how it goes.”
Leigh Deagan and Richie Gallichan are the other Australians within the top ten, with Scott Arnold, Jeremy Cross and Michael Foster, sitting T12 at three under, eight strokes behind Younger.
Arnold continues to exhibit his fine form following on from the runner-up finish at the St Andrews Links Trophy and is confident with his game, providing his putting improves. Arnold will be calling on his brother Scott, who is caddying for him this week, to help on the greens at Snee Farm and to get the puts rolling.
“The first round I played just solid golf,” remarked Arnold. “I didn’t make any mistakes, but I really didn’t hole anything either. The greens are really grainy and they’re not in the best of condition.”
“Today I had one over after a really slow start, but came back over the back nine. I just missed three short putts and three putted twice which doesn’t help. I just need the putter to be on and I’ll go low, as my game is there.”
The cut which sees the top sixty and ties through to the final round, will be determined following tomorrow’s third round.
Defending champion Tanner Ervin is at three under, joining Foster and Arnold. Tim Stewart, who was runner up to Ervin last year, is in danger of missing the cut following a one over 73, which has the former Australian Amateur champion T63.
A number of named players elected to sit out the Rice Planters this week to prepare for The Players Amateur starting 12 July at the Belfair Golf Club.
Younger, as well as Bezuidenhout and Griffin, have seized this opportunity to position themselves to collect their first American amateur title and with five Australians within the top ten places, the numbers are looking good for a possible Australian victory at Snee Farm Country Club on Saturday.
