Queensland&aposs Viraat Badhwar came from shots down on Thursday to win the 2013 Australian Master of the Amateurs Championship which concluded at Royal Melbourne Golf Club on Friday. 17 year-old Badhwar is the youngest golfer to triumph in the 15 years of this event. Like the rest of the field, he had to contend with gusty northerly winds and temperatures in the high 30 s today. Badhwar said coping with Melbourne s changeable weather over the four days is, forhim, part of the fun of the sport. The quietly spoken champ considers his mental game to be his strength and that was evident on Friday. While others felt the pressure of a big final, he produced six birdies and a round of 70 to take the title by two shots. Born in India, Viraat s parents moved to Australia six years ago, to further their son s golfing career. He has just finished high school in Queensland and later this year heads to Stanford University in California. Then college becomes his priority: there ll be no consideration of a professional golf career just yet. It was his first time in the Australian Master of the Amateurs and his first time at Royal Melbourne, and he thoroughly enjoyed both describing the experience as very special. He’s hoping to be back next year to defend his title. From ecstasy for the winner, to what must be agony for Australia s highest ranked amateur golfer, Brady Watt. He has led this tournament from day one and held a commanding lead going into the final round. But big problems on the 391 metre par four 6th (4-over) and the 346-metre par four 8th (3-over) were blemishes that cost him the title.
Author: MOTA