Dodt our best at Porter Cup
IN: News | US Mens Amateur | Porter Cup (2007) | Round Two | by Anthony Powter | 27 Jul 2007
Andrew Dodt’s second consecutive 69 sees the Australian amateur stroke play champion the best of the Australasian contingent after the second round of the Porter Cup. Dodt is at T18 and two under, eleven strokes behind leader, American Brain Harman.
Harman continues to rip apart the 6621 yard, par 70, Niagara Falls Country Club layout with opening rounds of 64,63, to be at thirteen under. He holds a three shot advantage from fellow countryman, Justin Regier who fired an impressive eight under 62 this morning.
Low scoring this week in Niagara Falls appears to be the norm and with Harman finding his feel after recent disappointments in particular last month’s Dogwood Invitational, where his putting slid as well as his chances of claiming the title, this week’s tournament appears to be his for the taking. Harman is now sporting a new putter and looks the man to beat in the 49th Porter Cup.
New Zealand’s James Gill is the next best Australasian at even par and T26, with rounds of 72,68 and his is joined by Tim Stewart, who was disappointed with his second round 72, after opening with a two under 68.
“I haven’t been quite as sharp as I would have liked from 150 and in,” remarked Stewart after his second round. “I missed a few putts early in the round that I really should have converted and that’s cost me.”
Stewart, like many of the Australasian players are a little stunned, but not totally surprised, with the low scoring this week where you need scores in the low 60’s to have any chance of contending.
“The scores that came in were very impressive by the leaders,” remarked Stewart this evening. “Unless you have low numbers in these events you’ll be left with plenty of work to do for the last two rounds.”
Andrew Dodt sees the low scoring being not only attributable to the level of talent playing the Porter Cup, but also the layout which he feels is playing easier than in previous years.
“I’m happy with the outcome of today’s round,” Dodt commented after his second consecutive 69. “I didn’t strike the ball that well, but I was able to manage my way around the golf course and make some good putts when I needed to.”
“Conditions aren’t that tough at the moment, although there is a strong breeze at times, which makes some holes play harder than others. Players are taking advantage of this and scoring low.”
Dodt, who is fresh from a mini break he and good mate Rick Kulacz had at Rhode Island where they took in the sites, as well as a few Red Socks games, feels his game is right to move further up in the field.
“I feel my game is heading in the right direction and hopefully I can start to make a couple of putts over the next two days to finish high on the board.”
As for the remaining Australians, they certainly have their workload ahead of them. Matthew Griffin is the next best performer in T35 after rounds of 69,72 to be one over. Aaron Pike is T42 after rounds of 70,72 and two over, whilst Rick Kulacz is at plus three and T48.
Rohan Blizard improved on his disappointing opening round of 76 with a 68, however, is well back in the field at T55 and four over.
Harman is probably a long shot to make the US Walker Cup team for September and appears more focused with winning the Porter Cup against a quality field.
Other American players like Billy Horschel, Dustin Johnson and Chris Kirk, all Walker Cup potentials, are playing within a tournament themselves. With team selectors taking notes as to performances at this week’s Porter Cup, all are strongly placed to finish inside the top ten and improve their chances for selection.
That’s been the nature of this event since the first round, as a type of mini tournament develops within the main tournament, and the stakes appear to be high.
