WA’s Daniel Fox has won his maiden tour victory by taking out the Nexus Risk TSA Group WA Open this afternoon at Royal Fremantle.
Fox was victorious by three shots over runner-up and low amateur winner Curtis Luck, who fell away on the back nine as Fox surged.
As the wind caused havoc with the rest of the field, Fox held his own and made four birdies on his back nine to race home for his maiden win, sealed with an emphatic 25-foot birdie putt on the last.
Fox could have three putted on 18 and still won, but unaware that Luck had bogeyed in the group ahead, Fox admitted to feeling the pressure.
“Standing on 18 I had a look at the leaderboard and saw a two shot lead and I was thinking ‘I hope that’s actually what it is’,” said Fox.
“I might need all three of them to try and get it in here. And then to hole it was just a dream, thank god that’s over.”
Before Fox could get off the 18th green, he was doused with two bottles of champagne purchased by his friends. To Fox, securing his win at home was so much sweeter.
“I actually didn’t think it would happen at home. I thought it was probably easier to be away where you don’t have all that involvement but it never seemed to faze me all day really, all week.”
Cottesloe’s Curtis Luck was philosophical about his runner-up finish. Despite a 4-over-par on the last five holes, Luck can already see the positives.
“I feel I put up a pretty good effort, especially in that last round — I just wasn’t able to finish it off,” said Luck.
“I didn’t hit the shots I needed to, but I’m extremely happy with the second (place finish), I would have taken that at the start of the week, so I’m really happy.”
As low amateur, Luck’s name will be etched on the prestigious Terry Gale cup, which has been a great indicator of future success with past winners including Brett Rumford, Stephen Leaney, Oliver Goss and Kim Felton.
“That’s extremely positive,” said Luck about his low amateur win.
“Obviously it’s nice playing in your home state, which make a massive difference and I had a massive support out there from Cottesloe members, so I’m really confident that down the line that I’ll be able to win here.”
“Whether as an amateur or as a professional, it’s definitely a sign of good things to come.”