Date: February 27, 2016
Author: Tom Fee

Scrivener flys in under radar

Jason Scrivener put together another sub-70 round as he rose into a tie for fourth place after round three of the ISPS Handa Perth International.

The young West Aussie’s 3-under 69 has him four behind leader Louis Oosthuizen, who came back to the pack somewhat with two bogeys in his final three holes.

Joining Scrivener in the top five is WA’s other great local hope in Brett Rumford, who was inconsistent but entertaining in his 1-over par round. With still winds and soft greens, Rumford will be disappointed to come in as the only player in the top 30 to shoot over par, but it could have been worse if it wasn’t for two spectacular eagles on the 14th and 15th holes.

Rumford sent the gallery into delirium as his greenside bunker shot into 14 rode the slope and into the cup, and they hardly had time to recover when his approach into the par-5 15th nearly holed out for an albatross.

Scrivener also had joy on the 14th hole, hitting to five feet with his driver and sinking the putt to go 12-under and into second place. The only blemish on his card came on the difficult 18th, as he failed to get up and down for par from the front of the green.

Scrivener’s rounds of 69, 67 and 69 have the Mandurah golfer quietly contending as he aims for his maiden professional victory.

“I’m happy going under the radar,” said Scrivener.

“If I can shoot a low one tomorrow I can kind of come up from behind. I haven’t probably played my best golf yet. I have played some solid golf at times, but I haven’t played my A game yet.

Even if Oosthuizen runs away with the title, Scrivener can still aim for his highest European Tour finish with some all important ranking points on offer.

Scrivener went agonisingly close to earning full European Tour status in 2015, highlighting the importance of the Perth International which was skipped last season.

“If I can play well tomorrow, whether I win or not, it’s a big advantage in having a tournament at home,” said Scrivener.

“It a great opportunity for all Australians, the more opportunities we have to play on the big stage the better.”