Fowler leads, Blizard closes in at Players
IN: News | US Mens Amateur | Players Amateur (2007) | Round Three | by Anthony Powter | 15 Jul 2007
Rickie Fowler continues his move towards claiming his second major American title in as many months, after the American fired a third round 64, to be twenty-one under, two strokes ahead of countryman Michael Thompson.
Despite the low scoring, Rohan Blizard is closing in on the leaders, carding the day’s second low score of 65 that will see him paired with Fowler and Thompson in the final group on Sunday.
“I droved the ball well today,” commented the Australian amateur champion after his round. “Driving well on this course and keeping on the short stuff enables you to attack the pins. There’s been no wind this week so it’s been pretty calm and it’s real target golf.”
His 65 today could have been even lower, if not for a double bogey on the short par four twelfth and the bogey on the last, after he went through the green with a flyer and was unable to get up and down for the par.
“The rough around the greens is difficult as it’s thick, which makes contact with your ball nearly impossible. The last hole was unfortunate as I’m playing well,” said Blizard.
Blizard plays out of New South Wales Golf Club in Sydney, where he won his Australian Amateur title in March. He’s accustomed to the elements and with unsettled weather predicted to play a pivotal part in tomorrow’s final, he’s looking forward to the challenge to close in of Fowler and Thompson.
“I’m getting to hole more putts, like today I only had twenty-four putts in my round and I feel more comfortable over the ball. Tomorrow, I plan to go out and put pressure on the two guys.”
“It’s raining really heavily at the moment and more rain is predicted for tomorrow, if I can get out early and apply some pressure, I might be able to move in.”
Fowler, who plays out of Oklahoma State, won the Sunnehanna Amateur last month and is the ninth ranked American amateur. Thompson won the Greystone Invitational.
Both have ripped apart Belfair’s West Course this week and bolted from the rest of the field, with Blizard the nearest rival, seven shots behind Fowler.
“Yeah, the scores have surprised me a bit,” remarked Blizard.
“Both guys are obviously playing really well and it makes it hard to catch them when scores of 63 and 64 are been made out there. But who knows, if you apply some pressure, something may come about, but they certainly will be hard to catch tomorrow.”
Tim Stewart, who is with a swag of other Aussies at T21, also has been taken a bit with the scores being posted.
“I have certainly been surprised by how low the scoring is. I think that the guys who are leading are just playing some great golf,” were Stewart’s comments.
“Today was the toughest day so far, and with this rain, I would say that tomorrow may play a little easier because the course will be soft again.”
New Zealand’s James Gill, who started the tournament strongly this week with an opening 66, finished his third round with a three under 69, to be at eleven under T6. Rudi Bezuidenhout is at four under, along with Andrew Dodt, Richie Gallichan, who are all with Stewart at T21.
Fowler is on the verge of his second major amateur title in as many months, with his Walker Cup selection chances improving with each round.
He’s due to attend college later in the year, as what the American’s call a “freshman”, at Oklahoma State University. There’s nothing off about Flower’s game at the moment, however, Blizard is looking to rain on the American’s parade and let’s hope he can do it.
