Griffin ready to strike at Rice Planters
BY Anthony Powter | US Mens Amateur Tour | 2008 Rice Planters Amateur | Round One | 03 Jul 2008
Matthew Griffin opened his campaign at the Rice Planters Amateur in South Carolina in fine style with a 5-under-par 67, which has the world number 7 and highest ranked player this week, two strokes behind opening round leader American, David Holmes.
Griffin recorded a bogey free 32 on the front nine, with birdies on 1, 3, 5 and 9. The dual 2008 National Trial winner then had three birdies (12, 15 and 18) and two bogeys (13 and 16) for a back-nine 35.
“Out there today, I played my best ever section of par 4’s for a while. I was 7-under-par on the par 4’s, but lost it on the par-5’s, where I was 2-over-par,” said Griffin.
“The way I’m striking the ball, is right up there and it’s making me confident over the ball, as I think the shot and what I want to achieve. My striking at the moment is giving me a lot of chances on the course.”
Michael Foster had a difficult start in defending his title, with a 5-over-par 77, which included a 10 on the par-5 sixth hole. He also had a double bogey on the par-4 third and a bogey on the par-7 seventh on his way to shooting 44 on the front nine, yet recovered with four birdies and a bogey on the back nine.
“I had a thousand out there today,” remarked Foster after his opening round.
“That’s golf, but simply, today I played no good for the first nine, but came in strong. So there is hope still perhaps!”
Foster’s ability to bounce back following a disastrous round should not be underestimated. A gifted striker of the ball, today’s score will be no more that a temporary setback, for a player who’s often been overlooked for Australian team representation by national selectors.
Other Australians to open well included the in-form Scott Grant, with a 4-under-par, 68 and Ray Beaufils, who is a shot behind Grant, with a 3-under-par, 69.
During his US tour this season, Grant has exhibited some impressive form, finishing T14 at the Monroe Invitational and has scored the odd low round in other tournaments. Grant is yet to fire consistently across four-rounds within a tournament, and today’s start was the springboard he would be looking for.
With a 54-hole cut coming into effect for the low 60 and ties after the third round, there is plenty of opportunity for the remaining Australian contingent to make a move in a tournament they have dominated over the last few years.
