Matthew Giles runner-up at Sahalee
BY Anthony Powter | US Mens Amateur Tour | 2008 Sahalee Players Championship | Round Three | 04 Jul 2008
Trent Whitekiller a junior at Oklahoma State may have won the rain-shortened Sahalee Players Championship over Matthew Giles, with a 54-hole total of 6-under par 210 for a two stroke victory, however, Giles again proved himself to be one of Australia’s most promising and emerging talents.
With five birdies over his final 9-holes, the American based Giles moved up the leaderboard to take sole possession of 2nd place and in doing so was the only player in the tournament field to shoot under-par in every round of the championship.
Matthew Giles Audio Interview
The Sahalee layout is regarded as one of the toughest on the US amateur circuit, having held the 1998 PGA Championship and 2002 World Golf Championships-NEC Invitational and as such Giles’ achievement is very commendable.
“At the start of the week I felt my game was there and the way I’d played at the Dogwood gave me the confidence to go out there and play this demanding golf course,” remarked Giles, the 2006 World Junior champion and top Australian at last week’s Dogwood Invitational.
“Sahalee’s layout is very demanding off the tee and it’s a drivers course. I managed to drive the ball well all week and my score reflected that. I’m pleased with the result, obviously having the tournament shortened and finishing a few short was a disappointment, but there is nothing you can do about that.”
Only six golfers in the field of 60 broke par during the second round, reflective of the demanding South and North nines at Sahalee Country Club in Seattle.
The third round was no different as scoring remained high, yet another promising Australian young gun Matt Jager stormed home with a second round 70, using six birdies and then topped that effort off with a final tournament equal low round 5-under-par 67 to finish T4, his best US amateur tour achievement.
Jager’s superb final round 5-under-par included seven birdies on one of the most demanding amateur layouts that a tournament will be held this season.
“This is a course where you cannot make mistakes and I managed to keep those to a minimum, despite all the delays,” remarked Jager, ranked 47th in the world.
“It’s our first real test at these events and to play the way I did, on what is in effect a PGA Tour layout shows my game can handle these courses when it’s on. I’m pleased with the week and I’ll be taking these positives with me next week to the Players Amateur.”
Daniel Nisbet finished his opening US tournament at T25 at 8-over-par, whilst Jason Scrivener the remaining Australian was T39 at 13 over-par.
Matt Giles heads to the Players Amateur, starting 7 July, with two solid main amateur performances from two starts. At only 19, Giles has a tremendous future ahead and it would not be surprising to see him in this his rookie US amateur season, collect a victory.
