Arnold wins Riversdale Cup in playoff

BY Anthony Powter | Australian Mens Amateur Tour | 2008 Riversdale Cup | Round Four | 10 Mar 2008

Scott Arnold has won the 2008 Riversdale Cup from Kieran Pratt, in a display of pure determination and nerve, in a thrilling finish. Arnold and Pratt finished locked together at 15-under-par, after Arnold courageously birdied the last hole, to force the playoff.

Arnold then hit a magnificent drive on the first playoff hole, to the fringe of the 281 metre par 4, 18th, whilst Pratt pushed his drive right, landing near a cart path, 40 metres from the green. Pratt then thinned his approach shot, his ball flying the green, landing 20 metres over the pin and in trouble.

Arnold capitalised on the opportunity to hit a superb chip to three feet and with that, securing the Riversdale Cup. It was Arnold’s first major Australian amateur title, having won the 2006 Hong Kong Open Amateur, and it certainly was the sweetest.

“This is something special, to win a National Trial event,” remarked Arnold.

“Just to be able to hang in there today and keep the momentum going since Friday, is a great result for me, especially with the Eisenhower Trophy later in the year. Riversdale is a great tournament and this is one of my best and sweetest for sure.”

Andrew Dodt denied Arnold the Australian Medal, on the 4th extra playoff hole at NSW Golf Club last year. At the 2007 St Andrews Links Trophy, Arnold finished runner-up after starting the final round as leader. Today at Riversdale, it was Arnold’s turn and it was a fitting result with Arnold winning the Riversdale Cup, wire to wire.

Kieran Pratt, who finished runner-up in the 2007 Victorian State Amateur, certainly threw down the challenge to the field and looked certain to take the title during the closing stages. Pratt made a sensational birdie on Riversdale’s 16th hole, to move a shot clear of Arnold, with only two holes remaining.

If there was a shot that would ultimately cost Pratt the title, it was his approach into the final hole. Pratt landed just short of the green and only needed to flop his approach over the left side bunker to set up a birdie putt.

His approach fell short, ultimately resulting in a par. The door had opened and Arnold took full advantage with a birdie, showing uncharacteristic emotion with “Tiger” like fist pumps, after the five foot putt hit the back of the cup.

Brendan Smith and Rhys McGovern finished T3rd at 11-under-par, followed by young gun, Jason Scrivener at 10-under-par and 5th place. Matthew Griffin kept his Eisenhower chances alive with another solid finish at 9-under-par, tied with New Zealand’s Danny Lee in 6th position.

The Riversdale Cup is one of the top Australian Amateur tournaments. The championship is not only steeped in history, being Australia’s second oldest amateur championship, but recent winners like Robert Allenby (1990-91), Brendan Jones (1998), Aaron Baddeley (1999) and Michael Sim (2004) have gone on to make their marks on the world golfing stage. Arnold now has rightly joined these ranks.

Many consider the Riversdale Cup to be Australia’s second ranked amateur title, behind only the Australian Amateur, and the honour board of past champions, as well as this year’s field list, certainly supports this line of thought.

After his victory this afternoon, Arnold was clearly relieved to finally get an Australian amateur title under his belt and the win has certainly elevated Arnold to one of Australia’s best amateur talents.