Arnold, Blizard survive at St Andrews

BY Anthony Powter | World Amateur Mens Tour | 2008 St. Andrews Links Trophy | Round Two | 08 Jun 2008

Rohan Blizard and Scott Arnold are the only Australians to make the final round of the St Andrews Links Trophy, after the 144 field was cut to 51 for Sunday’s 36-hole final. Blizard, the 2007 Australian Amateur Champion, fired the day’s low round with a superb 66 at the Old Course to make it right on the cut number of top 38 plus ties.

Arnold, winner of two main amateur titles, the 2007 Riversdale Cup and 2006 Hong Kong Amateur, fired rounds of 73-70, finish T22 and Australia’s top qualifier. Arnold is six strokes from the leader Callum Macaulay at 137, the Scottish international is a stroke ahead of his nearest rival, Caroustie’s Keir McNicoll.

Blizard’s 66 was the day’s best score by three, after Australia’s top ranked world amateur opened at the Jubilee course with a disastrous 79 and looked to be heading for the range on Sunday.

Less than a week ago at the Bidwells Scottish Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship in St Andrews, 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 will be seeking to string together a consistent four-round tournament score during the remaining part of his European tour, which cumulates with the British Amateur Championship at Turnberry, starting June 16. Blizard’s only blemishes in the UK have been the odd bad round, which have damaged his chances of seriously challenging for more international titles.

Stephen Spiers finished T64 with rounds of 75-72, joining Tim Stewart with rounds of 74-84, T135 and Jonathan Painter, 81-80, T141, who will miss the Sunday final.