Orlando, FL …
It was not how Curtis Luck wished to celebrate his first week as the game’s World No. 1 ranked amateur and that was to be disqualified for signing an incorrect score on day two of the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Orlando.
Luck was standing outside the scorer’s hut when the official scorer emerged to ask: “Curtis, what score did you have on the last?”
Now in one of the ‘silly’ penalties that former US Open champion Geoff Ogilvy says that should be changed, the 20-year old Perth golfer went back into the scorer’s hut to learn his playing partner had penned down a ‘4’ when he in fact took a bogey ‘5’.
World No. 1 ranked amateur Curtis Luck disappointed to have been d-qued from the Arnold Palmer Invitational. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)
Luck was always going to miss the cut lying at nine over par playing the ninth or his 18th hole but it was fact it was the first time he’s ever been disqualified that hurt more than anything.
“It was just one of those things and it’s so unfortunate as it’s the first time I’ve been d-qued and it just adds insult to injury after experiencing a tough few days on the course,” he said.
“Unfortunately, the way I was playing and in taking a bogey down the last got the better of me and I really should have been paying more attention in signing my scorecard.
“I had taken a 5 but didn’t notice the ‘4’ on my card for my very last hole.
“The worse thing is that I checked my score card and didn’t notice it. It was then one of the scorers came out of the scoring hut and when I went back to check my card they were spot on in picking up the error”.
As is customary, Luck had been afforded an invitation to play the Arnold Palmer Invitational as the reigning U.S. Amateur champion but he was always going to struggle to play four rounds after an opening score of 79.
Luck’s second round was a sour mix of four bogeys, an 18th hole or the par four ninth of his round ‘8’ when just 63-feet from the flag in two, along with a sixth hole or the 15th hole where he posted a double bogey ‘6’.
“I just found it tough out there and even getting here early in the week and playing a few practice rounds, I knew it would be a grind,” he said.
“I just didn’t have my A game from the start of the week and on a course like this, and given the way it’s been set-up, you can easy struggle with a lot of pins placed in some very tricky spots.
“So, in saying that, I missed it in a couple of spots and it cost me dearly.
“But then the course is phenomenal and in such great condition and it plays very long that puts a premium on hitting the fairway.”
Luck now has a week off ahead of his next the Georgia Cup over the weekend in Atlanta ahead of then heading south-west to Augusta and his maiden Masters appearance.
The young Aussie will tackle the reining British Amateur champion, England’s Scott Gregory.
Luck will be looking to become the first Australian to win the title after Newcastle’s Nick Flanagan was beaten by England’s Gary Wolstenholme in 2004.
And if successful, Luck would join the likes of Matt Kuchar (1998) and Sergio Garcia (1999) who won the opening two Georgia Cups.
