2007 Federal Amateur Open - Day 3

Media release from the Federal Golf Club:

It was another ‘blustery day’ at the wind swept Federal golf course, the location of the 2007 Federal Amateur Open.

The third round field of 65 elite amateur Australian and overseas players continued to face difficult conditions and some of the scores are testimony to the skill of the leading amateur golfers. The new leader of the Championship is Victorian State team member Daniel Beckman who had a wonderful 3 under par 69 to move into the outright lead 5 shots ahead of his nearest rivals. Beckmann, who has thus far shot 3 very consistent rounds, said “I am very happy with the way I am striking the ball and my putting has also been spot on. The windy conditions have made life difficult out on the course and I am happy to have a 5 shot buffer moving into the final round”.

Brendon Smith had a 74 but will still join English amateur golfer, Dale Whitnell (73) in the last group to tee-off on Monday morning. Andre Na (Grange GC, SA) had a 75 but is still in the group on 217 and is still in with a very good chance tomorrow. Overnight leader Brenton Haines dropped back into the pack after carding a third round 80 to be on 222. Luke Bleumink and Michael Foster are both on 219, 7 shots off the leader.

Federal Golf Club General Manager, Chris Hume said “Daniel Beckmann has shown great consistency over the first 3 rounds and is a deserving leader by 5 shots leading into the final round. All the other players know what they are going to have to shoot to be in with a chance and it will also be interesting to see if the conditions are as windy as they have been for the 3 rounds so far”.

Previous winners of the Open include Rick Kulacz (2006), Andrew Martin (2005), Gavin Flint (2004), Nick Flanagan (2003) and Andrew McKenzie (2002).

Play starts again at 7am tomorrow on the 1st and 10th tees with the higher profile players hitting off around 8am, with the last group of Beckmann, Whitnell and Smith to start at 8.20am