Aussies struggle at delayed US Amateur
IN: News | US Mens Amateur | US Amateur Championship (2007) | Round One | by Anthony Powter | 21 Aug 2007
The opening round of the US Amateur Championship at the Olympic Club in San Francisco was delayed for four hours and then eventually suspended due to darkness with less than half the field to compete their opening round.
Americans Kyle Ellis, Andy Mickelson, Nathan Tyler and Kyle Dickey each shot rounds of two-under 68 to share a one-shot clubhouse lead.
Australians Rick Kulacz and Jamie Arnold completed their opening rounds, with Kulacz the best at +5 (75) and in a tie for 140th, whilst Arnold finished two strokes further back at +7 (77) in T183.
Gary Wolstenholme, a regular English Elite Tour member each summer to Australia, would be hoping to continue his blistering three-under for his opening nine, after the former English Amateur Champion was one of 150 competitors left on the course when play was suspended due to darkness.
Despite the much publicised “green speed” and “rough” issue that’s attracted to any USGA events, players have found the greens fair but the rough more of a lottery.
“The rough is so long and you just can’t miss fairways or greens out there,” commented Kulcz after his first round.
“You have to get very lucky if you hit it in the rough, to get a look at hitting on or near the green in regulation. I think there is quite a bit of luck involved when the rough is this deep.”
Kulacz remains confident with his game following his recent win in the Scratch Players and there are no plans to change anything, irrespective of having an uncharacteristic 35 putt round.
“The greens today to me weren’t quick at all and I left numerous putts short. If anything, they were also a little softer than the practice round which was quite weird.”
“I played better than a 75, but the scoring overall wasn’t great especially on the Lakeside Course but you have to expect that with the set up. I’m looking forward to making a few more putts tomorrow and getting myself into that top 64.”
Only nine of the 156 players who finished were under par, reflecting the conditions and layout at the two courses being used at the Olympic Club.
The field will be reduced to the low 64 scores following the second round of stroke play before the match play format, which is scheduled to begin Wednesday on the Lakeside Course and runs through the 36-hole final on Sunday.
Unfortunately timing is becoming an issue at this Championship, as more inclement weather is predicted for tomorrow. Officials already are predicting the second round will spill into Wednesday.
There’s a lot at stake with the naming of two more US Walker Cup team members at the completion of the Championship, but more to the point with the 2007 US Amateur Champion receiving an exemption into the 2008 US Open and British Open and a probable invitation to play the 2008 Masters Tournament, if they remain an amateur. Everyone is anxious to get the match play field determined and get into the Championship proper.
As for the Australians, it’s important to keep in perspective that despite their current position in the field, they have finished and posted a score, whilst half the field is yet to complete their opening round.
Rick Kulacz’s opening 75 when the first round is finally concluded, may in all circumstances result in a higher finish than his current T140. If anything it certainly has not created any damage, as sub-par rounds certainly are in the minority at this Championship.
