Quarter Finals day at the Australian Amateur brought milder conditions and a stiff southerly breeze, the opposite to the rest of the week. This really assisted local hero and member of The Grange, Anthony Murdaca who scrambled from everywhere to defeat our last men&aposs hope and National Squad member Cameron Davis 4/3. Very few holes were halved in an exciting match for the large local gallery, with Cameron fighting from behind the whole way. Even fellow National Squad members Ryan Ruffles caddying for Cameron could not pull him through. Murdaca was a great competitor and will be favourite to take the title. Shelly Shin was three up through four holes in her match before some brilliant birdies and amazing par saves from Spanish competitor Luna Sobrana saw her get back to square through eight holes. Shelly won the 9th and held that lead to the 17th where Sobrana made another superb up and down to win. All square going down the last. Shelly again showed off her supreme ball striking to be 20 ft for birdie with her opponent left with an almost impossible up and down. Sobrana once again made it up and in, and Shelly left her putt on the lip. Shelly was 50 metres behind her big hitting opponent on the first extra hole and hit a superb three wood to 20 ft. Sobrana again missed the green and got up and down with her putt doing a full 360 degree lap of the cup. Shelly was showing some slight signs of frustration but hit another two magnificent shots and lipped out for a winning birdie on the 20th hole. The 22nd hole was most telling. Sobrana hit first into the fairway trap and left her second shot in the trap. Shelly smashed a beautiful drive up the middle and played cautiously 20 ft short of a tough pin. Sobrana hit her third to the back of the green and missed the putt. Shelly with two putts to win again lipped out her second putt to go to the 23rd. Sobrana with renewed hope hit a magnificent iron on the long par 3 to 10ft to clinch the win. Awesome match and great learning curve for Shelly and a joy to watch. Both Cameron and Shelly did NSW proud!
Author: Update from Dean Kinney, National Coach - NSW