AUSSIE AMATEUR WINS NEW ZEALAND OPEN AT CLEARWATER
FROM THE PGA OF AUSTRALIA WEBSITE
Australian amateur Jake Higginbottom has won the BMW New Zealand Open hosted by Christchurch played at the Clearwater Golf Course.
With a 7-under 281, 19-year-old Higginbottom from New South Wales becomes the first amateur since Australian Harry Berwick in 1956 to win the NZ Open.
Starting his round with a bogey, Higginbottom held his composure throughout the day and walked to the 18th green with a one shot lead where a par sealed him the title.
“I was a bit shaky to start with but it's actually good to be a couple behind after the front nine, I knew I had to go out there and make a few birdies and that's what I did.
“I think I was the most nervous I've ever been on the short putt on the last.”
A surprised winner, he is yet to comprehend the magnitude of his achievement.
“I don’t think it's sunk in yet but it's a good feeling, it means a lot to me,” said Higginbottom, who was the leading amateur at this tournament last year.
“It's good to come over here and play against all the Professionals and see that you're just as good.”
“I thought I'd probably have to shoot a little bit lower to beat Mark Brown, but he didn't hole many putts and only hit it okay, it just wasn't his day.”
Higginbottom becomes the second amateur to win on the PGA Tour of Australasia in 2012, showing that the future of Australian golf is bright, but we will still have to wait a little longer.
“I just think it's another stepping stone, I still plan to turn (pro) next year.”
“Yeah definitely, hopefully come back next year as a pro,” responded Higginbottom when asked of his intentions to defend the title.
Finishing a shot back at 6-under 282 was Victorian Peter Wilson and South Australian Jason Norris, who watched on greenside as the 19-year-old amateur sealed the victory.
While Jason Norris will split the the winner’s cheque with Peter Wilson it is bittersweet for the three time PGA Tour of Australasia champion.
“Obviously fantastic to take the money but a bit disappointing, I have never finished runner up behind an amateur, but Jake played great,” said Norris, who banked AU$56,400 for his second place finish.
“Coming down the stretch, the last three or four holes I wasn’t thinking of the money, which is the first time in my career, I just wanted to win the title.”
“It’s sort of gut wrenching to see someone else win even though he didn’t get the money, I just wanted the title.”
New Zealand remains winless for 10 consecutive years, as the Kiwi’s great hope Mark Brown finished three shots back from the lead in fourth.
“I only really holed one putt and had 34 for the day which is never going to win a golf tournament. I gave myself a lot of chances and think I hit 33 greens for the last 36 holes so that’s a lot of chances I didn’t take,” said Brown.
The PGA Tour of Australasia will now head to Mt Broughton Golf Course for the NSW PGA Championship to be played from the 29th November to December 2.
TO VIEW ALL THE FINAL TOTALS IN THE NZ OPEN
CLICK HERE
Australian amateur Jake Higginbottom has won the BMW New Zealand Open hosted by Christchurch played at the Clearwater Golf Course.
With a 7-under 281, 19-year-old Higginbottom from New South Wales becomes the first amateur since Australian Harry Berwick in 1956 to win the NZ Open.
Starting his round with a bogey, Higginbottom held his composure throughout the day and walked to the 18th green with a one shot lead where a par sealed him the title.
“I was a bit shaky to start with but it's actually good to be a couple behind after the front nine, I knew I had to go out there and make a few birdies and that's what I did.
“I think I was the most nervous I've ever been on the short putt on the last.”
A surprised winner, he is yet to comprehend the magnitude of his achievement.
“I don’t think it's sunk in yet but it's a good feeling, it means a lot to me,” said Higginbottom, who was the leading amateur at this tournament last year.
“It's good to come over here and play against all the Professionals and see that you're just as good.”
“I thought I'd probably have to shoot a little bit lower to beat Mark Brown, but he didn't hole many putts and only hit it okay, it just wasn't his day.”
Higginbottom becomes the second amateur to win on the PGA Tour of Australasia in 2012, showing that the future of Australian golf is bright, but we will still have to wait a little longer.
“I just think it's another stepping stone, I still plan to turn (pro) next year.”
“Yeah definitely, hopefully come back next year as a pro,” responded Higginbottom when asked of his intentions to defend the title.
Finishing a shot back at 6-under 282 was Victorian Peter Wilson and South Australian Jason Norris, who watched on greenside as the 19-year-old amateur sealed the victory.
While Jason Norris will split the the winner’s cheque with Peter Wilson it is bittersweet for the three time PGA Tour of Australasia champion.
“Obviously fantastic to take the money but a bit disappointing, I have never finished runner up behind an amateur, but Jake played great,” said Norris, who banked AU$56,400 for his second place finish.
“Coming down the stretch, the last three or four holes I wasn’t thinking of the money, which is the first time in my career, I just wanted to win the title.”
“It’s sort of gut wrenching to see someone else win even though he didn’t get the money, I just wanted the title.”
New Zealand remains winless for 10 consecutive years, as the Kiwi’s great hope Mark Brown finished three shots back from the lead in fourth.
“I only really holed one putt and had 34 for the day which is never going to win a golf tournament. I gave myself a lot of chances and think I hit 33 greens for the last 36 holes so that’s a lot of chances I didn’t take,” said Brown.
The PGA Tour of Australasia will now head to Mt Broughton Golf Course for the NSW PGA Championship to be played from the 29th November to December 2.
TO VIEW ALL THE FINAL TOTALS IN THE NZ OPEN
CLICK HERE
Labels: PRO GOLF
posted by Colin |
See story on its own page | Sunday, November 25, 2012
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home