Lee positioned well at Porter Cup

BY Anthony Powter | US Mens Amateur Tour | 2008 Porter Cup | Round Three | 26 Jul 2008

Danny Lee remains in with a chance of securing his first US amateur tour victory following the third round of the Porter Cup in in Lewiston, New York. Despite having troubles with his putter, Lee fired rounds of 69-70 to be 2-under-par and is in T7 position seven strokes from joint leaders, Adam Mitchell and Zack Sucher.

Thursday’s second round was suspended due to heavy rain forcing tournament organisers to play 36 holes on the Friday. With course conditions extremely wet, putting was made difficult on the softened greens due to the amount of course traffic with the combined rounds.

On a day where breaking par was considered an achievement in itself, the majority of scores reflected the difficulties players were experiencing with the conditions.

“It was difficult to get a true roll on the ball this afternoon,” said Lee the world number six and the second highest ranked player this week at the Porter Cup.

“My putting let me down and I missed a few birdie opportunities with lip-outs. The greens were soft and it was just very tricky conditions with the wind and the greens, but I’m pleased with the way I played.”

Lee is optimistic he can close the seven stroke difference on the current leaders, Mitchell and Sucher.

“If I can putt well, I feel that I can shoot a number in the low 60’s and should one of the leaders have a bad round, the difference can be reduced easily. My iron play is strong and provided I can get a true line on my putts tomorrow, I’m really looking forward to trying to win this tournament.”

Justin Roach, runner-up to Rohan Blizard at the 2007 Australian Amateur, is the best Australia at 1-under-par in T10 position after rounds of 67-70-72.

“It great to be getting my game again, especially in one of the more important amateur tournaments,” said Roach whose US season, apart from his T17 finish at last week’s Southern Amateur, has been punctuated with missed cuts and finishes towards the end of the field.

“A top-10 finish would be a fitting result for me as my game just has not been with me this season in the US.”

If there is one trait in Tim Stewart’s game it’s his ability to play consistently in major world stroke-play tournaments. The dual international winner has pieced together this week rounds of 73-68-69 to be even-par and is currently in T13 position.

Another top-10 finish at the Porter Cup on the back of a T4 finish at last week’s Southern Amateur would do no damage for Stewart’s chances for Eisenhower team selection.

Playing 36-holes also didn’t seem to bother Stewart too much either.

“It was one of those days where you just had to grind it out,” he said.

“We are kind of use to playing 36-holes in a day with tournaments back in Australia. I got off to a great start with three birdies in the first three holes then the breaks kind of got applied. My driving was a little off but my chipping and putting got me out of a lot of trouble today.”

Joining Stewart at even-par is close mate Scott Arnold with rounds of 71-69-70.

“I’m happy with the way I’m hitting the ball, just the greens are a bit bumpy from all the rain and I’ve played the in last group for the three rounds, so haven’t had the best of conditions,” remarked Arnold, winner of the 2008 Riversdale Cup earlier in the year.

The leaders Mitchell and Sucher enjoy a four stroke advantage moving into tomorrow’s final round. Mitchell is ranked 69th in the world and his best performance was a T8 finish at the Northeast Amateur in 2007. Whilst Sucher has some form having won twice in America, as well as securing a number of top-10 finishes to justify his world ranking of fifteen.

Lee and Stewart remain optimistic the leaders can be caught, particularly if conditions improve.

“I just feel my game is getting where I want it to be,” says Stewart. “It’s another round tomorrow and anything can happen but I would like to finish my final US event with a strong result.”

Lee is capable of mounting a challenge on the final day as he has done on numerous occasions in major amateur tournaments. An aggressive driver of the ball, Lee has the ability and flair to shoot low and experience well beyond his 17-years of age. He’s an exciting talent and it would be fitting for him to claim his first US amateur title at the Porter Cup.

“If I can start strongly and get some birdies, the rest of my game should follow,” says Lee. “I striking my irons well and if my putting improves from today, I should do ok.”