Justin Warren has dominated the 2018 Camden Cup after firing a sizzling seven under 64 to win by five shots and secure a place in the 2018 NSW Open at Twin Creeks Golf and Country Club this November.
The talented 23 year old is relishing being back at home after a long year in College at the University of Arkansas
A distant five shots back in second place was Joel Wheatley of Fox Hills with a two-under-par 69, while in third was the defending champion, Jason Webb of Macquarie Links with another shot in arrears.
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Warren, from nearby Picton, was peerless around the Studley Park layout, posting ten birdies and three bogies. The victory this year also a just reward after his agonising runners-up finish to Webb in this event in 2017.
“Today was probably the best round of golf I've played,” Warren said.
“The driver was really good. I didn't really miss any fairways, only missed two greens, and one I missed I chipped in for birdie.
“Everything fell into place.”
Warren is no stranger to the NSW Open. He first qualified back in 2013 while still in high school, but missed the cut.
It was the19-year-old's effort at Stonecutters Ridge in 2014 however, that stamped him as a future star of the sport. Warren posted three rounds in the sixties, including a first round 65. He led the tournament after two rounds, and eventually played alongside PGA stars James Nitties and Josh Geary in the final group on Sunday.
“The NSW Open is a tournament that’s quite dear to me.
“It jump-started my belief in myself to play golf.
“I played some amazing golf at Stonecutters that week.
“I struggled a bit on the last day, but the week confirmed to me that golf is something I want to play and something I know I’m good at,” he added.
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Warren, who is majoring in Applied Communications and Business Management, will enter his senior year when he returns to the United States in July. He is looking forward to the chance to return to the Open in November, and he believes he will be very competitive around the Graham Marsh designed Twin Creeks layout.
“I’m sure my coach will be able to pull a few strings, and I’ll definitely be back.
“I’ll be doing everything in my power to be there,” he smiled.
Camden Golf Club local Greg Matheson and Steve Wyatt of Federal Golf Club grabbed the two spots in the NSW Senior Open at Thurgoona in October. For Matheson, it will be back-to-back appearances after he qualified for last year’s event, and went on to make the cut.