Blizard best at Scottish Amateur
BY Anthony Powter | World Amateur Mens Tour | 2008 Scottish Open Amateur Stroke Play | Round Three | 02 Jun 2008
In horrendous afternoon conditions at the Bidwells Scottish Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship in St Andrews, Rohan Blizard produced some stunning form in securing the second lowest final round for the Championship, with a 2-under-par, 69, to finish the top Australian at T8th and 5-over-par for the championship.
Blizard finished eight strokes behind Wallace Booth, who claimed the title by a four stroke margin at 3-under-par, with rounds of 69-73-68. France’s Edouard Dubois was second with 1-over-par, whilst Mark Halliday and Matthew Cryer finished third at 3-over-par. The tournament was reduced to 54-holes following the cancellation of the first round due to bad weather.
If there’s one noticeable trait with Blizard, who won the 2007 Australian Amateur Championship, it’s his capacity to perform well in bigger events. Before leaving for Europe in May, Blizard secured six top-ten finishes in main Australian amateur events, including winning the NSW Amateur Stroke Play title and made the top-16 at the Australian Amateur in Royal Adelaide.
Gifted with an immaculate short game, Blizard’s consistency on the international stage justifies his current standing as Australia’s top-ranked World amateur and 9th ranked amateur player in the World.
Scott Arnold was the next best place Australian, with the 2008 Riversdale Cup champion finishing two strokes behind Blizard, with rounds of 72-68-80, to finish 7-over-par and T16 in a tournament that could have swung either way for Arnold.
During the morning round Arnold blasted his way into contention with an opening 3-under-par, 68, to be in second place and only a shot behind the morning leader, South Africa’s Johan DeBeer.
“I drove the ball really well in the morning,” said Arnold
“It helped me set up birdie opportunities and I was able to capitalise on the front side which was nice.”
“The course is fairly long, even though they shortened it for the tournament, but it still played a par 71, 7300 yards.”
Arnold was unable to retain his momentum in the afternoon round, as conditions deteriorated and made scoring extremely difficult.
“In the afternoon it rained and was simply miserable and I shot 80,” said Arnold.
“I just didn’t drive it well, which is so important around this golf course and I payed the price big time. It turned really cold in the afternoon, but that’s links golf for you over here.”
Five Australians made the final at The Duke’s in St Andrews. Behind Blizard and Arnold was Jonathan Welsh at 13-over-par (T32), Matthew Gleeson at 14-over-par (T14), whilst Tim Stewart finished the tournament 17-over-par (T42).
The Scottish Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship was the opening baptism of scottish conditions for many of our players, with most using the tournament as a prelude to this week’s St Andrews Links Trophy.
Arnold, Stewart and Blizard are seasoned campaigners on the UK amateur circuit and all three are eager to claim their maiden UK championship title this tour.
Arnold, who finished runner-up at the 2007 St Andrews Links Trophy and Stewart, who was also runner-up at the 2007 British Amateur, are primed to go one better this year. Blizard’s consistency in international events certainly makes him a player to follow over the next few weeks in the UK, and his efforts this morning at St Andrews clearly sends a message, that he is never to be discounted in the bigger events.
