Kuntz can’t keep up with Jones

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This article was published 23/07/2024 (749 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

If he’s going to be the best, Drew Jones is going to have to beat the best.

So far, so good for the 29-year-old Brandon golfer, who carries a two-stroke lead into Wednesday’s third and final round of the Manitoba Amateur at Rossmere. Jones fired a tournament-low four-under 66 on Tuesday and is now six-under through 36 holes after shooting 70 in Monday’s opening round.

“I just kept to the game-plan, stayed disciplined and hit a lot of quality shots,” Jones, who plays out of Shilo Country Club, told the Free Press. “I just felt so steady. I didn’t feel anxious or under the gun.”

Although he’s thrilled with his current position, Jones isn’t getting too comfortable. Lurking right behind him is three-time defending champion Braxton Kuntz, who is four-under after consecutive rounds of 68. The 22-year-old Winnipegger is trying to become the first men’s golfer in provincial history to win the event four straight times.

“I’m proud of the way my game finished off. I really could have shot a high score and put myself out of it. I’m definitely happy where I am going into (Wednesday),” said Kuntz.

It looked for a while like Jones might leave the rest of the field in his dust. Birdies on the 10th and 11th holes Tuesday put him four shots clear of Kuntz, who was playing in his group. Kuntz, however, responded with birdies on the 13th, 14th and 15th holes to get himself right back into the mix while Jones kept reeling off pars.

“I was like OK, let’s zone-in and make something happen,” Kuntz said of his mindset. “I always kind of consider myself to be a fighter. You know what, I’m four back, it’s crunch time, let’s try and even it out by the time we get to 18.”

Jones wasn’t surprised to see the surge.

“I was like, ‘Yep, here’s Braxton coming,’” he said. “He’s so good. When he has his best stuff for a few holes, he’s going to be making some circles.”

Jones then matched Kuntz’s birdie on the 17th to maintain the one stroke lead, then got a bit of an extra cushion when Kuntz three-putted on the 18th for a bogey while he made par.

“(Jones) didn’t make a whole lot of mistakes out there. He was really consistent. Impressed with his play,” said Kuntz. “He’s a great guy to compete against. He’s a super nice guy, I love playing with him and he’s got a great golf game. He’s been playing great this year. It’s going to be tough to track him down.”

Winnipeg’s Lyle MacKenzie, who plays out of Niakwa, sits alone in third at two-under after rounds of 71-67. The highlight of his Tuesday came on the front nine when he went birdie-eagle-birdie on holes six, seven and eight.

“That was pretty cool. Honestly, this course is really tough and these greens are not easy. Sometimes, when your ball ends up in the right spot, you’ve got to take advantage and make those putts,” said MacKenzie.

“Really pleased with the result. I was a little frustrated with the way things finished up (Monday). I played a lot better than 71. So I was really motivated to come out here and put some birdies on the card.”

Jones and MacKenzie are fresh off finishing second and third, respectively, in the Manitoba Men’s Mid-Amateur earlier this month in Minnedosa. That event was won by Winnipegger Allan McDonald, who is currently tied for 10th in this event after rounds of 74-69.

“A little bit more experience now under my belt, which is nice,” said MacKenzie. “Coming out here the expectation wasn’t to be in the final group. I’m just so happy that I am. My goal (Wednesday) is to do what I did (Tuesday). Shoot three or four under par and give myself a chance at it.”

The only other player in the red right now is Rossmere’s Cameron McIntyre, who is one-under after rounds of 70-69. Thunder Bay’s Jaden Jones, who co-led the event after 18 holes along with Jones and Kuntz, followed up his 68 with a 73 on Tuesday.

The biggest mover of the day was 15-year-old Hudson Hunnie, who opened with a 78 and then shot a sizzling 67 on his home course. That rocketed him up 37 spots on the leaderboard into a tie for 15th in his Manitoba Amateur debut.

“I got used to the speed of the greens,” Hunnie said of the difference between rounds. One other change — his father, Dan, was caddying for him on Tuesday.

Hunnie is one of the more promising young players in the province right now, as proven by the fact he’s currently in his second year of inclusion on Team Manitoba.

“It’s been really good. They’ve put together a good group of guys who are really competing. And a lot of good friends, too,” Hunnie said of the experience.

The field has now been cut from 114 to 63 for the final round, with the magic number being 16-over par. The final threesome of Jones, Kuntz and MacKenzie will tee off at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Jones hopes to be standing tall by the end — which is something he never figured he’d be doing a month ago when a student in his phys-ed class crashed into his knee, resulting in a torn MCL.

“No chance,” he said. “When I got the news I thought I was done for the summer. Since I got the brace I’ve been able to compensate somehow and I’ve been hitting it the best I have in a long time.”

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

X: @mikemcintyrewpg