Dogwood bites back Stewart
BY Anthony Powter | US Mens Amateur Tour | 2008 Dogwood Invitational | Round Two | 27 Jun 2008
Tim Stewart felt somewhat bewildered after his even-par second round, 72, at the Dogwood Invitational in Atlanta, Georgia. Less than 24 hours earlier he had carded a career low, 9-under-par 63, around the Druid Hills layout to share the opening round lead with New Zealand’s Danny Lee.
One round later Stewart finds himself T4 at 9-under-par, four shots from leader, Tim Schaetzel. Danny Lee also slipped back to T7, at 8-under-par, with his 1-over-par, 73.
Stewart was still coming to grips with what a difference a day can make on the golf course.
“I felt that I actually played quite well out there today but the score reflects otherwise,” said Stewart, ranked 11th in the world.
“Even-par today was a bit disappointing. A late double in the round on the 16th, kind of took the wind out of my sails and damaged the round.”
Despite the marked difference with his scores for the opening two rounds, Stewart remains confident as it’s only a four stroke difference from the leader, Schaetzel.
“I’m still in the hunt. This is a course where you can score low. The pins were extremely difficult out there today and made it a little harder to get in close, but I’m looking forward to getting out there tomorrow and being aggressive.”
Matt Jager continues with his recent fine run of play, with rounds of 68-72, to be 4-under-par at 140, to be comfortably inside the cut of low 36 and ties, which will be determined following tomorrow’s third round.
Jager is competing in only his second major amateur tournament since arriving in the US, having played the Northeast Amateur last week in in Rumford, Rhode Island and appears to be settling in well, recording three sub-par rounds from six starts to date.
Solid third rounds by Jason Scrivener, Josh Younger and Matthew Giles should see the Australians make the cut tomorrow. They are all currently 3-under-par at 141 for the tournament and on the fringe of the estimated top 36 cut mark.
American Tanner Ervin, who denied Tim Stewart of his maiden American win at the 2006 Rice Planters Championship, recorded the tournament low-round to-date, with a 10-under-par, 62, to make amends to his opening 77.
Giles’ 4-under-par, 68, was one of the better second rounds from the Australians, many of whom commented on the tougher second round conditions, both with the course, pace of play and the irritating southern American heat.
“There were a few tricky pin placements today,” said Giles, who is now based at University of Southern California.
“It’s still easy to post a score. It’s a short layout and if you are driving the ball straight, you will be rewarded and have plenty of wedges into the greens. The course can, however, bite you if you are careless.”
Conditions on the second day were not that favourable and many of the Australians experienced difficulties adjusting to the humid conditions, which were not made any easier with persistent slow play. Ray Beaufils, who was playing in the last group experienced a six-hour round, finishing with rounds of 71-74, 145 and will need to make a move if he’s to play the final round.
“To say that I’m unhappy about what happened out there today, would be an understatement,” remarked Beaufils this evening. “It’s a golfer’s worst dream, playing long rounds in serious heat and trying to post a score.”
Beaufils will enjoy an earlier tee spot, with a mid-morning tee time for the third round.
Matthew Griffin also improved on his opening 74, with a 3-under-par, 69, to be on the fringe of making the cut and with a chance of making the final round.
