Foster leads at Sunnehanna

BY Anthony Powter | World Amateur Mens Tour | 2008 Sunnehanna Amateur Tournament for Champions | Round One | 06 Jun 2008

Michael Foster opened his American campaign with a perfect start following a 4-under-par, 66, to be joint leader after the opening round at the Sunnehanna Amateur in Pennsylvannia.

Foster shares the lead with two Americans, including the defending champion and world number two, Rickie Fowler.

Michael Foster Audio Interview

“Mate, it is just great to be back here in the States playing these events,” said Foster this evening.

“It’s the start that I wanted and I’m just so pumped to be playing. I feel my game is there, so anything might happen.”

Foster returns to America with numerous strong performances back in Australia, including defending his Western Australia Amateur title and finishing runner up at the Australian Amateur Championship.

“The results during the summer in Australia were a bit mixed, but now I’m finally getting some form back,” said Foster.

Justin Roach’s problems with delayed baggage may have unsettled the 2006 Australian Amateur runner up, he was the next placed Australian behind Foster in T31, after an opening round of 3-over-par 73. Roach is followed by Ray Beaufils in T63 at 8-over-par, whilst Brett Rankin opened with a 9-over-par 79.

Melbourne based Korean, Jin Jeong, also opened strongly with a 2-under-par, 68 to be T5.

Foster will certainly have his work cut out for him with 19-year-old Rickie Fowler, who only on Wednesday learnt that he’ll play in the US Open, after earning first-alternate status at the Columbus, Ohio, qualifier on Tuesday.

In addition to becoming the first freshman to win the Ben Hogan Award for College Player of the Year, Fowler also was named a PING first-team All-American and claimed the Phil Mickelson Award for the nation’s top freshman within the American Collegiate system.

Foster is the style of player capable to throw down the challenge this week. The Western Australian thrives on all the trappings associated with main American amateur tournaments. This morning’s start, a perfect way to commence this American tour.

“I’ve won here before, so I know what to expect,” says Foster.

“The fields are just so deep with talent, anyone playing is capable of winning and I just give it my best and see how it goes.”