A final-round 66 was’t enough to get over the line for a fast-finishing Justin Warren at the Canadian Amateur Championship, while Canberra’s Josh Armstrong jumped into the top 10 with a final-round 69.
Warren, who was left with a mountain of work to do after his opening round 78, finished at 11 under par and in outright fourth place, seven shots behind the defending champion, American Zach Bachou.
Although hopeful of another good showing after two rounds in the sixties, the leader Bachou was simply too far in front, and eventually won by three shots.
“I left a few out there today which was a bit disappointing, but overall, I’m happy with the result,” Warren said.
“If you had told me after my opening 78 that I would finish in fourth place I would’ve taken it.”
For now, it’s back to the books for Warren, as he begins his senior year at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
“I’m headed back to Little Rock in the morning. Our first college event is in September,” he added.
Canberra’s Josh Armstrong was pleased with his 9th place finish despite – in his words “hitting it rank” all week.
“I’m pretty happy with the trip. The UK could have been better, but the on the US part of the trip I showed a lot of good signs,” he said.
For now though, it will be home and a bit of a rest for Armstrong. Next up for the 18 year old is the Queensland Amateur Championship at Gailes Golf Club, beginning on August 26th. He likes his chances too.
“My game feels good, I’ve just got to let it happen.” Armstrong smiled.
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DAY THREE WRAP: Warren finds form at Duncan Meadows
Justin Warren is the best placed of the two Australians left in the field at the Canadian Amateur Championship at Duncan Meadows Golf Club in British Columbia.
On a day that saw most of the top ten shot in the sixties, The 22 year old from Picton carded another impressive round, a six under par 65, to go with his second round 64 and jump into a tie for 7th place, seven shots in arrears of the leader and defending champion Zach Bachou.
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Had it not been for his opening round 78, Warren would be right in the mix to lift the title and with it a place in next week’s US Amateur at Pebble Beach.
“I didn’t get a practice round at Pheasant’s Glenn because my clubs didn’t arrive,” Warren said.
Duncan Meadows sets up well for Warren, and he is keen to go low again in tomorrow’s final round. He said it’s the type of course where if you drive the ball well you can tear it up.
“I hit the driver everywhere and only missed one green in regulation yesterday. I holed a few putts and shot a course record 64.
“I went out there today with the same aggressive game plan, stuck with it, holed a few more putts and shot a 65.
Unfortunately for Warren, he didn’t get through his shot at Qualifying for next week’s US Amateur, so a win tomorrow would be very fortuitous.
“I shot 69, 72 to miss by six. Tough School,” he added. “A 63 tomorrow and some help from the leaders and I may punch the last ticket through.”
Canberra’s Josh Armstrong who started the day tied for 6th, carded a one-under-par 70 to drop down the leaderboard and into a tie for 13th.
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Armstrong makes a move in Canada
Canberra’s Josh Armstrong has fired a second round one-under-par 70 to go with his first round 69 to move into a tie for 6th place at the Canadian Amateur Championship being played at Duncan Meadows and Pheasants Glenn Golf Courses in British Columbia.
The nineteen year old had a bit of a rollercoaster ride in round two, combining an Eagle and five birdies with four bogeys and a double.
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American Zach Bauchou, the current World Number 17 and defending champion, leads the event by three shots after firing rounds of 65 and 68.
Picton’s Justin Warren was the only other Aussie to make the cut. The University of Little Rock Senior made up for his disappointing opening round 78 with one of the rounds of the tournament, a 64, to sit in a tie for 24th place.
Jordie Garner, James Grierson, Drew Herbert and Jason Hong all failed to make the two round cut, which fell at three over par, with the final two rounds of the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship will be contested at Duncan Meadows.
The Canadian Men’s Amateur champion will earn an exemption into next week’s U.S. Amateur at Pebble Beach Golf Links and the 2019 RBC Canadian Open at Hamilton Golf & Country Club in Hamilton, Ontario.
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