Arnold set for Riversdale Cup victory?
BY Anthony Powter | Australian Mens Amateur Tour | 2008 Riversdale Cup | Round Three | 09 Mar 2008
Scott Arnold is set to secure the 2008 Riversdale Cup, following his third round 4-under-par, 68, which has the 2006 Hong Kong Amateur champion, one stroke ahead of Kieran Pratt, going into tomorrow’s final round.
Danny Lee fired a third round, 70, to be in T3rd position at 10-under-par, along with Brendan Smith, whose third round 64, currently sits as the tournament low round, and a stroke of the course record at Riversdale, set by Kurt Barnes in 2003.
“I holed a few 4-5 footers today and that kept the momentum going,” remarked Arnold.
“The course is firming up a bit and the greens are getting difficult. I’m not even worrying about where I stand in this tournament. Tomorrow is just another round and my objective will be simple, fairways and greens.”
Rhys McGovern is currently in 5th, at 9-under-par, followed by Rohan Blizard, who’s been unable to capitalise on his opening 66, with rounds of 72-70 over the past two days, to be 8-under and 6th position.
Since his opening 7-under-par, 65, Scott Arnold has held the lead at the 2008 Riversdale Cup. Arnold experienced considerable success abroad during 2007, finishing a creditable runner-up at the St Andrews Links Championship in Scotland and a solid 4th place finish at the Asia-Pacific Amateur.
His amateur career is peppered with notable achievements, yet lacks an Australian title. Andrew Dodt denied Arnold the Australian Medal, on the 4th extra play-off hole at NSW Golf Club last year. Dodt turned professional in later 2007, yet Arnold remains committed to securing another major amateur title, before certainly joining Dodt in the professional ranks.
Besides the honour of potentially claiming Australia’s second oldest amateur tournament, there’s considerably more at stake for Arnold in tomorrow’s final round of the Riversdale Cup.
With the Eisenhower Trophy scheduled in October, he is considered one of the fringe players for team selection, along with Matthew Griffin, who’s currently at 5-under-par and T12th.
National Selection trial events, like the Riversdale Cup, take on a different perspective and a strong finish in Melbourne, will do Arnold no harm regarding team selection, as well as give him plenty of confidence moving into both the Mandurah Eastern Amateur, and next month’s Australian Amateur at Royal Adelaide.
It’s bound to be a strong contest, especially with New Zealand’s Danny Lee within a four shot striking distance of Arnold. Time will tell, but the 2008 Riversdale Cup certainly is there for Arnold’s taking.
