Anthony Murdaca in action at the launch of Playgolf Week (28 Oct 13) 18 year old Amateur, Anthony Murdaca has a score to settle. Having qualified for his first Australian Open as a 15-year old in 2010 as national junior champion and after playing some scintillating golf, Murdaca missed the cut by 1 stroke after finding water and recording a double bogey 7 on the short, but challenging, par 5, 17th hole at The Lakes. Even after knowing he missed his opportunity to play on the weekend, putting his disappointment aside, Murdaca birdied the next and final hole highlighting his skill and mental toughness. Three years have passed and a fitter, stronger and wiser Murdaca heads to Royal Sydney after gaining Australian Open entry, courtesy of again winning the Australian Boy s Amateur Championship in April, joining Grant Waite and Adam Scott as the only players to have won two national junior crowns. I ve been preparing for this for 6 months, I feel pretty good and have been doing a lot of physical work. I think this time though I will play the last few holes a little more conservatively, but I feel pretty confident in having a good week Murdaca said. Murdaca s recent form line is good, having won the SA Junior Masters and SA Junior Amateur earlier in the year and recently claiming his third Men’sClub Championship at The Grange. I ve just returned from Argentina last week representing Australia at the Juan Carlos Tailhade Cup where we finished second overall and I placed 8th individually. Murdaca said. Having had to combine his golf career with year 12 studies at St Michael s College, 2013 has been a busy one. Year 12 is done and dusted Murdaca said I did my last exam in Argentina and I think all went well. Next year will be a gap year for me and it will be just golf. Now school is over I will be practising everyday . I m pretty happy with my form and I m swinging it pretty well, I m just fine tuning everything now and getting ready to leave on Sunday. I plan to go to the gym or have some light practise on Sunday and then play practise rounds on Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday I will practise on the range . Murdaca is coached by SA State Coach Gareth Jones. Gareth is over on Tuesday and Wednesday so I ll spend some important time with him then, going through final preparations. I ve never played Royal Sydney before, I actually think its better I ve never played there, so I can map the course fresh. I ll work out where best to miss, where not to miss and how the greens and grass will react I ll hopefully have a good finish, top 30 would be great, I want to play at my best and have the best finish I can . Inspired by his favourite player Adam Scott, Murdaca said it is a privilege to play in the same event as Scott. I m pretty excited; I ve never spoken to him but would love the opportunity . I m planning to have a practise round with Tom Bond and Nick Cullen, having a round with Scott would be a dream . I m playing for the experience and want to learn as much as I can during the tournament also for the Amateur ranking points. Murdaca said. My goals this year are to get some good results in the top Amateur events and hopefully have a couple of wins. Murdaca will be supported at the Australian Open by his father Dominic and friend and junior State representative Matthew Lisk who will act as his caddie. Anthony s mother Antonia will head over to Sydney on Wednesday and is extremely proud of her son. I m always nervous for Anthony against a type of field like this, we really hope he plays well and makes the cut . Anthony won Athlete of the Year at his School the other night and tonight is nominated for The Advertiser Channel 7 young Sports star of the Year Award.” “We are very proud . Mrs Murdaca said Golf SA and the entire SA Golf community, echoes those thoughts. For all news including live scoring throughout The Emirates Australian Open – click here for the Official website
Author: Christian Puccini / Golf SA