Blake Windred has taken out the biggest title in his amateur career with a thrilling one-shot win over England’s David Hague in the Avondale Amateur today.
The 20-year-old Novocastrian, who took out low amateur honours at the 2017 NSW Open Championship, kept his nerves in check to make a clutch up-and-down for a par on the last to grab the crown. Moments earlier, a bogey on the penultimate hole had left Windred tied for the lead with the Englishman who had finished his round almost an hour earlier.
RELATED LINKS (click to view)
GOLDEN RUN: Endycott masters Avondale Medal
RECAP 2017: Armstrong, Lee reign supreme
TOURNAMENT WEBSITE: The 2018 Avondale Amateur
Windred was elated with his performance after the victory and was quick to thank those around him.
“It’s quite an awesome feeling to win,” Windred said. “Coming into today, I knew it was going to be tough to get past a few of the leaders, and it was awesome to hole that last putt on the 18th.”
<image="2" align="left" />
Earlier, overnight leader and fellow Australian Golf Club Teammate Grant Booth looked like the title was his as they who carded a disappointing four over par 75 that included a horror run of five dropped shots in four holes between the 8th and 11th.
South Australia’s Jack Thompson carded a tiny one under par 70 to finish in a tie for third with Indonesia's Ramadhanputra, who carded a final round one over par 72.
<image="3" align="left" />
IN the women’s Division, Japan’s Suzuka Yamaguchi carded an even-par 72 to take out the championship by six shots from Avondale local Grace Kim.
The title looked like it was wide open when Yamaguchi could only bogey the opening hole while playing partner Kim made birdie. However, that was as close as Kim could get and when the Japanese Girl birdie the 16th and 17th, the title race was effectively over.
<image="4" align="left" />
A delighted Yamaguchi said she found the conditions tougher than she expected but was still thrilled to lift her second title in as many weeks.
“The position of the pins were tricky. It was difficult to find a line,” Yamaguchi said through an interpreter.
There will be little time for the Japanese tyro to get home and celebrate, however, She will be back to play in the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open in Adelaide in a few weeks.
“As soon as I get home, I’m going to have to turn around and come back again,
“I’m playing in the Women’s Australian Open,” she smiled.