2 PM UPDATE: Scrivener tearing apart Twin Creeks
West Australian Jason Scrivener has a ‘when’ not ‘if’ mentality when asked how long it might take for him to break through and win his first professional tournament.
The 28-year-old said yesterday: “If I keep doing it (contending), it’s going to happen eventually. Whether it’s tomorrow or somewhere down the line,” he said.
“I’m not putting any pressure on myself right now. I’m not going to deny that I’m not thinking about it (a win), but I don’t feel like I have anything to lose. I feel it will happen, I’ve put myself in that position enough, to know that I’m good enough.”
He may not have to wait any longer, after a front nine here at Twin Creeks that yielded four birdies and which now has him in the strongest position to break down the door.
Scrivener has scored four birdies and a sole bogey on the front nine to be at -3 for the morning and -20 for the tournament, three shots ahead of nearest rival Lucas Herbert from Victoria.
More to come …
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Amateur mounts serious challenge
Japanese amateur Takumi Kanaya was asked during the week to name his favourite Australian golfer. Without hesitation, he named 2013 Masters champion Adam Scott. The reason why he said, was simple. “So handsome”.
It’s a handsome game Kanaya has brought to Twin Creeks in the final round of the NSW Open this morning as he mounts a serious challenge for the Kel Nagle Cup. He doesn‘t have to look far to discover the last amateur to win the NSW Open. Playing partner Ben Eccles was the last to do it in 2015.
Related Coverage:
Day 3: They’re all chasin’ Jason: http://www.nswopen.com/news-display/theyre-all-chasin-jason/98864
The course: Twin Creeks bares its teeth: http://www.nswopen.com/news-display/twin-creeks-bares-its-teeth/98859
The greens: ‘Best greens I’ve putted on in years’ http://www.nswopen.com/news-display/best-greens-ive-putted-on-in-years/98855
The architect: How Marsh built his masterpiece: http://www.nswopen.com/news-display/key-to-unlocking-marshs-masterpiece/98828
Kanaya birdied the second, third and sixth holes, which along with three pars, have him at -3 for the day and -16 for the tournament. He's four back from overnight leader Jason Scrivener who has added three birdies to his overnight score to be at -20 for the tournament.
The West Australian patiently parred the first three holes before a run of consecutive birdies starting at the fourth.
Queenslander Daniel Nesbit also made a vital par-save at the fourth but has made three bogeys on the front nine to be at -13 and now seven back.
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Victorian Lucas Herbert has added two birdies this morning – on the short par four third and the par-five fifth, but gave one back at four to be at -17 and outright second.
Wunderkind Brett Coletta has completed the equal low round of the day with a six-under 66 to be in a tie for 15th, while Jack Wilson has also come in with 66 to finish the tournament at -9. If the dreadlocked Victorian could remove his third round 76 from the equation, he has had a week that should give him a lot of confidence.
Veteran West Australian Brett Rumford has also carded a 66 which indicates he might be a threat at the Australian Open next week in Sydney.
Rumford finished the back nine with five birdies and a lone bogey to complete his low round of the week.
Newcastle's amateur Blake Windred could eclipse all comers with a round that is six under through 13 holes to be in a tie for 5th.
Don't forget to join us for live updates of the final round, or watch it live on Epicentre.TV, Foxtel Digital or PGA TV from 12 Midday.
Better still, head down to the magnificent Graham Marsh-designed layout in Greater Western Sydney to see some of the best golf talent in the world, on a course with great viewing positions and easy access.