Tough title defence for Augustus

Daniel Augustus will put his Bacardi National Par Three men’s title on the line at Fairmont Southampton golf course over the weekend.

The 23-year-old Bermudian, who turned pro last year, is again expected to be among the top contenders — but is wary his task won’t be easy with the likes of PGA Tour winner Ian Leggatt and 2009 world number one amateur Nick Taylor included in this year’s field.

Augustus said: “I just want to go out there and do my best, that’s all I can really do. I don’t want to think about winning anything at this point in time.

“I just want to go out on the first day and post as good a score as I possibly can and on the second day play it shot-by-shot.

“I just have to go with the mindset of playing well.”

The past amateur stroke-play champion says he’s looking forward to measuring up to 2003 Tucson Open winner Leggatt and multiple Canadian Amateur of the Year Taylor.

He added: “I love competition because it brings a different element when an overseas player who has won a PGA Tour event comes to an event like this.

“It enhances the level of competition and makes you want to bring your ‘A’ game out so you can show what you are about.”

Leggatt, who finished tied for 20th at the 2003 US Open, retired from professional golf last May.

He said: “I don’t play much golf anymore and today (yesterday) was my first round since last November.

Appealing

The views out here (Fairmont) are magnificent, something you would normally get at Pebble Beach and not on a par three golf course.

“This is a good place to shake the rust off for sure.”

One thing that could work against Leggatt is his limited experience playing at par three venues.

He said: “I haven’t played too many par- three golf courses in my life. I was fortunate enough to get out and play the golf course this morning (yesterday) for the first time.

“I have been fortunate to have travelled all around the world and played many, many golf tournaments on many different golf courses, so the uniqueness of coming and playing in a par three event was something that was appealing to me.”

Anthony Mocklow, tournament director, said: “We have quite a competitive field. We have 18 women in the field, 14 golf professionals and five visiting ladies who are five single handicaps.”

Mocklow also thanked the tournament’s title sponsors as well as the staff at Fairmont for  keeping the course in immaculate condition.

He added: “We are very proud of our golf course, which is an exceptional one and a very high calibre.”

This year will see a new ladies champion crowned as last year’s winner Susan Bond has been ruled out with an elbow injury.