Younger leads at Mandurah
IN: News | Australian Mens Amateur | Mandurah Easter Amateur Championship (2008) | Round One | by Anthony Powter | 22 Mar 2008
Josh Younger has fired an opening 3-under-par 69, to lead the Mandurah Easter Amateur Open by a single shot, from John Cassidy, Nick Cullen and Anthony Smith.
Scott Arnold, winner of last month’s Riversdale Cup, is at T5 at 1-under-par, along with Michael Foster, Matt Griffin, Tim Stewart and Scott Hunter.
Following his round this morning, Younger was obviously pleased to be the leader, yet aware there was still plenty of holes left in the tournament.
“It’s a good feeling to be where I am, as the opening round can make or break you,” said Younger, the defending champion at Mandurah.
“It wasn’t that easy out there today as the wind was gusty, making the conditions inconsistent. It certainly toughened it up, but it’s more about positioning especially with 36 holes to be played on Monday.”
Younger comes off a three-day refresher AIS training camp in Adelaide, held earlier in the week, where he spent some time working on a few things in preparation to defending his title at Mandurah.
“Mandurah is a course where to post a score, you need to attack the par-5’s and then be conservative on the par-4’s, with just hitting fairways and greens. That’s the way I approached it last year, and I’m not changing my strategy this year.”
With plenty of other challenges following today’s opening round, including Matt Jager, Matt Thomas and Michael Raseta, the recent NSW Amateur champion, all at even par and three shots behind, the field remains tightly bunched in Western Australia.
The Mandurah Easter Amateur has now become the last National Selection trial event, before next month’s Australian Amateur Championships in Adelaide, after officials elected to cancel the SAGA Invitational and have it modified into the stroke component of the Australian Amateur Medal.
Tomorrow’s round will determine the cut at Mandurah, with the top 70 scores plus ties progressing to Monday’s final 36 hole round. All named players are currently within the cut range, including local favourite Jason Scrivener at 2-over-par.
Most players, including Younger, feel the course will toughen as the weekend unfolds. Those who are able to remain within 5 strokes of the leaders going into Monday’s final round, certainly feel they are in with a chance.
“Anything can happen with 36 holes to be played on the final day,” remarked Matt Jager.
“It’s all about staying in there and see what then unfolds, that’s the beauty of this format, play consistent golf and you’re in with a chance.”
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