Date: July 10, 2007
Author:

Aussie amateur update

Michael Foster finished strongly to claim the Rice Planters tournament at Snee Farm Country Club in South Carolina. The West Australian blitzed home with a 68 to finish on 12-under alongside countryman Josh Younger. The pair engaged in a playoff and it was Foster who prevailed on the second playoff hole. Victorian Matthew Griffin stormed home with six birdies in his closing eight holes to finish on 11-under to complete an Aussie one-two-three. Rudi Bezuidenhout also performed well down the stretch to finish fifth. Meanwhile… – Aaron Pike was defeated in the semi-finals of the North and South Invitational at Pinehurst having played extremely well in the qualifying and early match play rounds. – West Australian Kristie Smith has booked her place in the US Women&aposs Amateur after carding a 71 to finish second in qualifying at Sapona Country Club in North Carolina. – Emma Bennett leads the Women&aposs Trans Amateur at Persimmon Ridge, Kentucky after shooting an opening round of 72. Smith and Kate Combes are equal-second on 73 while Victorian Clare Choi carded a 78. The top 64 players qualify for the match play. The event is one of the most prestigious amateur tournaments in the US with over 100 entrants. Click here to view a full leaderboard.