Viitikangas wins Golf SA Classic with a course record 64 Simon Viitakangas from Robina Woods Golf Club in Queensland has fired a Glenelg course record 7-under-par 64 to take out the Golf SA Amateur Classic by 1 stroke ahead of fellow Queenslander Aaron Wilkin. Heading into the final round 2-over, four strokes behind leader Jarryd Felton from WA and two behind Tory Moses, Aaron Wilkin and Jordan Zunic, Viitakangas stormed out of the blocks with 4 birdies and an eagle on the opening nine holes, to move to 3-under-par for the tournament. At the turn, Viitakangas trailed Wilkin by 1, who himself started with four biridies on the front nine while Felton had dropped back after four bogeys to make the turn at 4-over. I played tactical golf coming home, trying to just keep the ball in play Viitakangas said. With an eagle on the par 5 12th a hole he had previously birdied in each of the opening 3 rounds, Wilkin moved to 5-under-par, 2 ahead. Viitakangas then strung together 3 consecutive birdies through 13 to 15, to claim the lead by 1 for the first time in the tournament. In the group ahead of Wilkin, Viitakangas bogeyed the 17th after finding the hazard from the tee and then made par on the last to be clubhouse leader at 5-under. Viitakangas expected Wilkin to force a playoff, but Wilkin too found trouble on the 17th dropping a shot after hitting his tee shot to behind trees and then finding the greenside bunker with his approach. Heading down the par 5 last, Wilkin needed to birdie, but his approach fell short, requiring him to sink a 30 footer to force the playoff. He almost rolled his putt in, but had to settle for par and a runner up finish. I had the mindset of having to post a good number today, whatever was going to be, was going to be and it just happened. Viitakangas said I put this down to course management. I played quite smart golf around this layout and it was just enough to get by. Viitakangas added. This is no easy golf course and I m just happy with the win and the way I was able to hold it together coming down the closing stages. You never know sometimes and today it fell my way. It’s nice to win my second event this season after winning the Master of the Amateurs. I m really learning how to keep my composure . Jordan Zunic (NSW) finished in 3rd position at 2-under, while Todd Sinnott (VIC) finished fourth at 1-under with a closing round of 66. Overnight leader Jarryd Felton closed with a disappointing 74 to finish in 6th position, with South Australia Anthony Murdaca finishing 7th. Cory Crawford, Scott Ready and Benjamin Stone rounded out the top-10. Golf SA Classic Final Round Summary courtesy of Anthony Powter – Golf Grinder PHOTO GALLERY Men’s- Round 3 Summary After 54 holes, Jarryd Felton (Gosnells GC), leads the Golf SA Amateur Classic by 2 strokes at 2-under, after carding a 4-under round of 6. Felton leads Troy Moses (NSW), Aaron Wilkin (QLD) and Jordon Zunic (NSW) who are all tied in second position and even par. 36 hole leader Simon Viitakangas from QLD shot a 3-over 74 and sits in 5th. The final men’s group of Felton, Wilkin and Moses tees off at 9.22am Sun. Golf SA Classic Round 3 Summary courtesy of Anthony Powter – Golf Grinder PHOTO GALLERY Men’s- Round 2 Summary Three players sit tied at 1-under after 36 holes of the Golf SA Amateur Classic. Round 1 leader Simon Viitakangas from QLD is joined at the top of the leaderboard by fellow Queenslander Kade McBride and Jordan Zunic from Bonnie Doon GC (NSW). After a 2-under 69 in round one, Viitakangas backed up with a 1-over par round of 72. McBride after an opening round 72, fired a second round 69 which included an eagle on the par 5, 12th hole. And Jordan Zunic made his move, also with a round of 69 with 4 biridies for the day. Golf Australia National Squad member Cameron Davis winner of the 2013 China Amateur Open, made a difficult up and down for par on the last to be in outright 4th at even par. SA s leading player is Heath Riches from Kooyonga Golf Club. Riches sits at 2-over, tied for 7th after rounds of 71, 73 (144). With the cut at 156 after 36 holes, 61 players (19 South Australian s) proceed to the weekends rounds. Men’sRound 3 kicks off at 7.40am on Saturday 5 April with the Men’sleading group teeing off at 8.20am. Men’s- Round 1 Summary Simon Viitakangas from Palmer Gold Coast Golf Club in QLD is the leader of the Golf SA Amateur Classic after Day 1. Teeing off from the 1st tee in the morning, 21-year-old Viitakangas went out in 37 with 2 birdies and 3 bogeys. With a further 3 birdies on the back 9 (and 2 bogeys) the Queensland finished his round in fine style with an eagle 3 on the 494 metre par 5th 18th hole to finish at 2-under par for a 69. Four players sit equal second after rounds of 70. They are Dale Williamson from Killara GC (NSW), Blake Proverbs from Royal Queensland, Anthony Murdaca from The Grange GC (SA) and Cameron Davis from Monash GC (NSW). In last years event Viitakangas fired rounds of 75, 72, 68, 73 to finish at even par and in 5th position. Men’sRound 2 kicks off at 8am on Friday 4 April.
Author: Christian Puccini / Golf SA