Stewart heads Aussie assault at Porter Cup
IN: News | US Mens Amateur | Porter Cup (2007) | Round One | by Anthony Powter | 26 Jul 2007
Tim Stewart, runner up at the British Amateur last month, started his Porter Cup campaign in style with a two under 68 and T12, to be only four strokes from leader American, Brain Harman. Andrew Dodt and Matthew Griffin are at one under and T20, a single stroke behind Stewart.
“I played solid again,” commented a quietly reserved Stewart this evening.
Stewart’s round had potential to be better as he let slip a few shots in the homeward stretch and you could sense a degree of uncharacteristic frustration with his result.
“I bogeyed 15 and 18 coming in for two under. So I have mixed feelings about the finish out there today. But overall I’m happy with a solid start to the tournament and are looking forward to staying in there, in such a strong field.”
Aaron Pike carded an even par round of 70 at the Niagara Falls layout, to be T26 and the next best Australian, whilst New Zealand’s James Gill is at two over and T45. Both Rick Kulacz (T52) and Rohan Blizard (T67) are currently well back in the field and in need of a low second round to have any chance of challenging this week.
Harman, a 20 year old from the University of Georgia and 2005 Walker Cup team member, scored a six under 66, to have single stroke margin from fellow American amateur veteran, Mike McCoy. Harman has recently struggled with his game and a move to a new belly putter is providing the necessary lift in an area that’s recently been his nemesis.
Harman’s best result this season was fifth at the Dogwood Invitational earlier this month, but finished with a disappointing 73, the putting woes the cause for the blow out and the reason for this week’s change in equipment.
The Porter Cup has certainly taken on a different perspective this week than in previous years. Players are remarking the Niagara Falls layout is playing easier, the result of dryer conditions that’s prevented the rough from reaching its traditional lush levels. Despite this, the course is still considered a challenge.
Matthew Griffin, who comes off a top ten finish earlier this month at the Eastern Amateur, sees an accurate driver as the secret to remaining in contention this week, especially given the strength of the field.
“This is a tough course that requires precision off the tee,” commented Griffin after his opening round of one under to be T20.
“It’s a very strong field playing with most of the best guys in the US competing. There’s no room for error and everyone is pumped to play well, particularly the Americans as the Walker Cup captain is also competing and they want to impress.”
Rick Kulacz is another who will be looking to make a second round charge. Kulazc presently finds himself nine strokes from the leader, but is confident he can improve on his opening 73.
“I played better than 73,” commented Kulacz this evening on the range.
Kulacz felt that he left shots out there today and failed to capitalise on the par 5’s.
“I just doubled two par three’s, one from an average shot, the other was a good shot but wrong club. I didn’t convert birdies on any of the par 5’s when I was in the fairway on all of them and could also get home on all of them. I played them in +1 and with this quality of the field, you cannot give those shot away.”
When you consider that five of the world’s top ten R&A ranked players are competing in the Porter Cup this week, you can fully appreciate Kulacz’s position.
Then again, consider Rickie Fowler’s situation, the latest young gun to hit the US amateur scene with victories in the Players Amateur and Sunnehanna Amateur. He’s with Kulacz at T52 and three over. He’s considered a “fringe player” for selection in the Walker Cup team and needs to have a good result to have a real chance to be playing in Ireland in September.
That’s the uncharacteristic feel about this week’s tournament at Niagara Falls. For many it’s a tournament within itself.
In the case of Stewart, Dodt and Griffin, the Porter Cup is becoming a chance for them to make their mark, and with the media attention the event is getting, their timing could not be better.
