Matt Jager leads Players Amateur
BY Anthony Powter | US Mens Amateur Tour | 2008 Players Amateur | Round Three | 13 Jul 2008
Matt Jager will take a stroke lead at 13-under-par into the final round of the Players Amateur in South Carolina from American Mark Anderson with fellow Australian Josh Younger in outright 3rd at 11-under-par.
Jager fired a third-round 6-under-par 64 following opening rounds of 67-66, attributing his fine round to sinking critical putts at the right time.
Matt Jager Audio Interview
“I didn’t miss much inside 10-feet and that’s probably why I’m leading the tournament,” said Jager after his round.
Jager comes into the Players Amateur with some form after storming home at last week’s Sahalee Players Championship in Seattle, 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 and record his best US amateur tour achievement.
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. Jager’s efforts during the Sahalee tournament gave him the lift he was looking for early in his maiden US tour.
“The momentum from Sahalee certainly feels like it’s still there. I played well not just the last round but also the second. This week my putting has been the difference and I’m getting the critical putts in the hole.”
First-round joint leader Matt Griffin is in T5 place after rounds of 65-69-67 to be 9-under-par, four strokes behind Jager.
“I’m striking the ball well and making the shots that you need to do here,” said Griffin, ranked seven in the world. “The difference today was that my putts were just not dropping and you need to putt well on these greens to score well.”
Josh Younger had another stellar round with a 64, to build upon his opening 65-70 rounds. Younger finished 3rd at last week’s Rice Planters and the 2007 Mandurah Easter Amateur champion continues to play consistent golf since arriving in America.
Younger has not claimed an international title despite being close on numerous occasions. He lost in a play-off in the 2007 Rice Planters championship to Michael Foster and was runner-up at the 2007 Saujana Amateur Open (Malaysia). Younger is due for an international win, however, knows the task will not be easy.
“It’s not going to be easy making up the difference,” remarked Younger. “I had a 64 today and remain virtually in the same position moving into the final round. Matt [Jager] is playing well, so are all the others close to him, so I’ll need to card a low number to have a chance.”
Another promising Aussie talent Jason Scrivener continues to have a fine tournament and is 4-under-par with rounds of 69-66-71, a stroke ahead of New Zealand’s Danny Lee at 3-under-par.
The cut was 7-over-par with Justin Roach right on the mark, whilst Scott Arnold bounced back with his borrowed clubs with a third round 2-under-par 68 to be 4-over-par and around for the final round.
For the second time in as many weeks an Australian moves into the final round of a major US amateur championship holding the lead. Jager is an exciting talent and whilst relatively new to the main amateur circuit, his confidence is there as is his game after Sahalee.
A powerful player of the ball, Jager will be dangerous during tomorrow’s final round. He has the benefit of forcing the field to try and make up ground on a layout that’s not receptive to breakaway scores.
“I’ll just be focusing on another low round and the others will have to try and catch me,” said Jager.
“I’ve been in this position before and know what to expect. I’m really looking forward to the challenge.”
