Kellett tees up chance for biggest win of career in New South Wales Amateur contest

Published on Saturday 7 February 2009 18:57

ROSS Kellett stayed on course for his biggest career win after battling through to the final of the New South Wales Amateur championship in Sydney yesterday.

The Motherwell youngster, who beat No.1 seed Kyle Grant in Friday's quarter-finals, continued his fine form with a 2 and 1 win over Brett Drewitt in the last four to set up a final duel with Aussie Michael Smyth today.

Kellett, who reached the quarter-finals of the British Amateur championship in 2007, had been two-down through 13 holes of his 36-hole clash with Drewitt but the Scotland cap hauled himself level by the end of the morning's session. The lead exchanged hands several times during the second round but Kellett, 21, produced a late surge and won the 33rd, 34th and 35th holes to claim a narrow victory.

Kellett's final opponent, Smyth, had been six-up on Scott Arnold after 18 holes of their semi tie but was pegged back before winning on the 37th hole.

Gavin Dear and Wallace Booth lead the Scottish challenge after a tough opening day for the home contingent in the Jones Cup Invitational at Sea Island, Georgia.

The Eisenhower Trophy-winning duo, who were last week both named in the elite squad of 24 for selection to the Walker Cup team to play USA at Merion, Pennsylvania, in September, both posted five-over 77s and sit down in a share of 24th, seven shots behind early pacesetter Kyle Stanley who fired a 70.

Glenn Campbell, the former Scottish Amateur champion, opened with a 79 while Paul O'Hara and St Andrews Links Trophy winner Keir McNicoll had to settle for 80s. Steven McEwan struggled to an 83.

Rising Australian star Katherine Hull surged into a three-stroke lead on the third day of the ANZ Ladies Masters at Royal Pines in Australia yesterday.

The 26-year-old, playing in her home state, birdied the last two holes for a 68, taking her to 12-under.

Fellow Queenslander Tamie Durdin is nine under following a 66.