Younger eyes US success at Rice Planters
IN: News | US Mens Amateur | Rice Planters Amateur (2007) | Round Three | by Anthony Powter | 07 Jul 2007
Josh Younger, who tied the course record with an opening 63, takes a two stroke lead from young American sensation Austin Cody into the final round of the Rice Planters Amateur, at Snee Farm Country Club in South Carolina.
Younger, currently eleven under with rounds of 63-70-72, is set to take the tournament wire to wire and secure his first major American amateur title.
Rudi Bezuidenhout and Michael Foster are the next Australians, three strokes behind Younger at eight under. Foster fired an impressive third round 67 to be with Bezuidenhout and within striking distance from Younger. Matthew Griffin is a stroke behind at seven under, with Rohan Blizard the next Australian at four under.
The cut was six over after the third round and fifteen from twenty Australians will play tomorrow’s final round, including last year’s runners up Tim Stewart, who is currently four over.
Younger is no stranger to being in contention moving into the final round of a major amateur championship. In fact he thrives on the competition and with wins back in Australia 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.
This week at Snee Farm, Younger has certainly achieved this with local media renaming the event, “the invasion from Down Under!”
With a third round even par 72, Younger still feels his game is strong and that he is ready to join the ranks of fellow Aussies, Aron Price (2004) and Tristan Lambert (2005), who have previously won the Rice Planters.
“Putting is difficult out there,” said Younger. “I’m still in good shape with the heat, so I’m not that disappointed with my game. I’ll just play every shot as it is. Tomorrow is another day and I’m really looking forward to it.”
Younger’s nearest rival Austin Cody, is playing his first Rice Planters and is the 2002, 2004 and 2006 Callaway Golf Junior World Champion, boasting six holes in one, all at only fifteen years of age.
The American will certainly be a challenge, but with the likes of Michael Foster and Rudi Bezuidnhout also in contention and playing strongly, the numbers fancy another Australian victory at Snee Farm or even better, a repeat performance of 2004 when an all Australian triumvirate of Price, Leishman and McKenzie topped the leaderboard.
