Lee and Koh cruise to Australian Amateur victories
New Zealand 19 year-old Tae Koh clinched the first major win of his amateur career on his first trip to Australia with a resounding 6&5 win over Western Australian Curtis Luck at The Australian Amateur Championship presented by Audi at The Grange Golf Club in Adelaide.
The Manukau Golf Club member and World Number 275 led 4up after the first 18 holes and said he was overwhelmed to clinch victory.
“It feels great obviously. Winning 6&5 was a pretty good effort I thought. I thought it was going to be a pretty tough match. You play pretty good players. To do it in that fashion is awesome,” Koh said.
In doing so, Koh becomes the first New Zealand man to win the title since former U.S Open champion Michael Campbell did in 1992. Koh also earns an exemption into the Emirates Australian Open at The Australian Golf Club in Sydney later this year.
“That’s big – Michael Campbell won a major and was a great player. Hopefully I can follow in his footsteps. The Australian Open – wow. Big crowds, I’ll have to get used to that. Hopefully I get to play with some good pros and see what they do,” Koh said.
Born in Korea, Koh moved to New Zealand at the age of six and began playing golf when he was seven after caddying for this father. He stopped playing golf for four years in his early teens to pursue cricket and soccer before returning to the golf course four and half years ago.
For Luck, from Cottesloe Golf Club, it was the end of a solid week and continues his good form in 2014 following his win at the Boys’ Victorian Junior Masters earlier in January.
Final – Tae Koh (NZ) defeated Curtis Luck (WA) 6&5
Click Here for Hole-by-Hole Scores
Australian Women’s Amateur Championship presented by Audi – Final
Western Australian Minjee Lee has successfully defended her Australian Amateur Championship crown after defeating 15 year-old Queenslander Karis Davidson 6&5 in today’s final at The Grange Golf Club.
World Number 5 and 17 year-old Lee led 2up after the first 18 holes with the pair putting on a birdie blitz in the morning. Davidson birdied three of her first five holes and took the challenge up to Lee before the Royal Fremantle member rolled off four straight birdies on holes 5-8 in the afternoon round to surge clear.
“It feels good. It’s always a long week at the Australian Amateur and it’s good to get the win and start the year off on a high,” Lee said.
“I was just steady today. Whenever Karis made mistakes, I just took advantage of that. After that I holed a couple of putts early on the front nine in the second round and I got to 6 or 7up,” said Lee who earns a place at the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open next month.
Lee, who graduated from school in 2013, has now won two Australian Amateur titles, the Australian Junior title and the US Girls’ Junior title among a host of other victories.
“I don’t have school this year so I’m going to play all of the Aussie professional circuit events and then go to China for the World Ladies Championship. After that I think I’ll head to the United States for the U.S Women’s Amateur and play a couple of other big events over there,” Lee said.
Fellow National Squad member Ryan Ruffels caddied for Lee for the semi final and final. The pair teamed up for Lee’s Australian Amateur victory in 2013 in Melbourne.
“He’s good company, we had fun out there and it was pretty cruisey,” Lee added.
Final – Minjee Lee (WA) defeated Karis Davidson (QLD) 6&5
Oh so close for Murdaca & Lee in AusAm Match Play Semi’s
18 Jan 2014
Anthony Murdaca and father/caddie Domenic assessing options for his 3rd shot on the 18th
Anthony Murdaca held off New South Welshman Cameron Davis, who caddied for Murdaca in the final round of last year’s Australian Open, 4&3 in this morning quarter final, to set up a match against New Zealand’s Tae Koh.
Koh led by one hole early, before Murdaca squared the contest on the 3rd.
Koh then pushed ahead to lead by two through nine, holding lead until Murdaca squared the match again on the 14th hole.
Koh then moved 1up with a birdie on the 16th, before Murdaca hit back to claim the 17th and square the match heading down the 18th.
Under pressure and with a large gallery following, both players hit perfect drives to the middle of the fairway.
Up first Murdaca attempted to repeat his 3rd round approach shot where he flushed it from 220mtrs to the middle of the green, but this time miscued the approach, hard left.
Seizing the opportunity, Koh played a solid shot to the right side of the fairway, leaving a short, trouble free pitch to the green.
With Murdaca effectively having no shot to the green with his third, he attempted a high risk shot but found trouble again. After hacking at his fourth and then fifth which slide across the green, Murdaca conceded the match to Koh after Koh played his third close to the pin.
Koh now faces Western Australian Curtis Luck in the Australian Amateur Match Play final from 8.15am Sunday with a place in the Australian Open at stake along with the honour of being National Champion.
Glenelg’s Jenny Lee in action against Davidson
After disposing of World Number 2 Su-Hyun Oh from Victoria 4&3 in this morning’s Australian Amateur Quarters Finals, Glenelg’s Jenny Lee spent the afternoon battling 15 year old Queenslander Karis Davidson in an absorbing Semi Final.
After Lee birdied the 5th to go 1up, Davidson hit back with an eagle on the 6th to square the match.
Lee then edged ahead, before Davidson repeated the feat with another eagle on the 8th to tie the contest.
Lee then pushed ahead to be 2 up through 12holes, before Davidson fought back to win holes 13 and 14. On the 16th hole Davidson chipped in for birdie, to push ahead for the first time of the day and put the pressure right back on Lee.
Lee hit straight back winning the 17th hole to square the contest heading down the 18th.
Both the 18th and 19th were also squared forcing the contest to the 20th.
After both players hit middle of the fairway with their drives, Lee’s approach ended up in the front bunker while Davidson’s was short just off the green.
Lee was forced to play a safe bunker shot to the left edge of the green while Davidson’s chip rolled to within a foot. The ask to hole the putt was too much for Lee, resulting in a fine win to Davidson, who only moved to Australia from Edinburgh five years ago.
Davidson now faces world number 5 Minjee Lee in Sundays 36 hole final from 8am.
MEN’S MATCH PLAY RESULTS
SEMI FINALS – Saturday 18 January PM
1.00pm – Anthony Murdaca (SA) v Tae Koh (NZL) Koh wins 1 up
1.15pm – Curtis Luck (WA) v Todd Sinnott (VIC) Luck wins 1 up
QUARTER FINALS – Saturday 18 January AM
8.10am Anthony Murdaca (SA) v Cameron Davis (NSW) Murdaca wins 4&3
8.20am Max Buckley (USA) v Tae Koh (NZL) Koh 2 wins 3&1
8.30am David Snyder (USA) v Curtis Luck (WA) Luck wins 2 up
8.40am Zach Murray (VIC) v Todd Sinnott (VIC) Sinnott wins 1up
WOMEN’S MATCH PLAY RESULTS
SEMI FINALS – Saturday 18 January PM
12.30m – Karis Davidson (QLD) v Jenny Lee (SA) Davidson wins on 20th
12.45pm – Minjee Lee (WA) v Luna Sobron (ESP) Lee wins 2&1
QUARTER FINALS – Saturday 18 January AM
7.30am – Shelly Shin (NSW) v Luna Sobron (ESP) Sobron wins 23rd
7.40am – Minjee Lee (WA) v Jayde Panos (WA) Lee wins 6&5
7.50am – Su-Hyun Oh (VIC) v Jenny Lee (SA) Lee wins 4&3
8.00am – Chantelle Cassidy (NZL) v Karis Davidson (QLD) Davidson wins 5&3
Match Play Results/Draw – Men
Match Play Results/Draw – Women
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Evreniadis, Lee & Murdaca through to #AusAm MPlay Rd 2
Grange Junior Cassidy Evreniadis through to final 16
National Junior Champion Anthony Murdaca is the sole South Australian male remaining in the Australian Amateur Championship after defeating New Zealand’s Ryan Chisnall 1up in today’s Round 1 of Match Play.
Grange’s Chris Brown and Kooyonga’s Heath Riches tournaments are over, after Brown was defeated by Queenslander Blake Proverbs 6&5 while Sandgroper Curtis Luck defeated Riches 4&3.
Top male qualifier Ryan Evans from UK was defeated by talented Victorian junior Ryan Ruffels 3&2 while Victorian Lucas Herbert and Japanese player Kazuki Higa who were second and third qualifiers were also eliminated.
Both SA Women Cassidy Evreniadis and Jennny Lee progressed to the final 16 after winning tight matches.
Evreniadis from The Grange defeated Victorian Julienne Soo 2up, while Glenelg’s Lee overcame Queenslander Sheree Hasson 1up.
Women’s leading qualifier So-Young Lee from Korea was defeated by New Zealand’s Chantelle Cassidy 2&1 while defending champion Minjee Lee from Royal Freemantle hit form, defeating Victorian Sue Wooster 7&6.
SA MEN’S MATCH PLAY RESULTS
Anthony Murdaca (The Grange) defeated Ryan Chisnall (NZL) 1up
Blake Proverbs (QLD) defeated Chris Brown (The Grange) 6&5
Curtis Luck (WA) defeated Heath Riches (Kooyonga) 4&3
SA WOMEN’S MATCH PLAY RESULTS
Cassidy Evreniadis (The Grange) defeated Julienne Soo (VIC) 2up
Jenny Lee (Glenelg) defeated Sheree Hasson (QLD) 1up
Match Play Results/Draw – Men
Match Play Results/Draw – Women
Follow the #AusAm on twitter!
6 SA players qualify for Aus Amateur Match Play
15 Jan 2014
Anthony Murdaca qualifies 7th
4 South Australian Men and 2 Women have made it through to the Match Play section of the 2014 Australian Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championships hosted by The Grange Golf Club.
After 36 holes of stroke play, Ryan Evans from Wellinborough GC in the UK is the leading qualifying at 9-under with rounds of 68 (West Course) and 67 (East Course).
Lucas Herbert from Commonwealth Golf Club in Victoria and Kazuki Higa from Japan both finished at 6-under and qualify second and third respectively.
With the qualifying score being 3-over, the 4 South Australian’s to progress through were Anthony Murdaca and Chris Brown at 3-under and Heath Riches at 2-over.
Justin Crowder who finished even with the card, with rounds of 75, 69 qualified, but due to prior commitments is unable to take his place in the match play rounds.
In the Women’s qualifying, Korean, So-Young Lee is the leading qualifier finishing at 6-under with rounds of 69, 69 (138).
Minjee Lee from Royal Freemantle was next best at 2-under shooting 73,69 (142).
SA’s Jenny Lee at 2-over and Cassidy Evreniadis at 9-over have both progressed to join 30 others in the Match Play.
SA MEN’S THROUGH TO MATCH PLAY
Anthony Murdaca (The Grange) 3-under 71, 70 (141)
Chris Brown (The Grange) 3-under 70, 71 (141)
Justin Crowder (The Grange) Even 75, 69 (144) – withdrew from Match Play
Heath Riches (Kooyonga) 2-over 75, 71 (146)
SA WOMEN’S THROUGH TO MATCH PLAY
Jenny Lee (Glenelg) 2-over 73, 73 (146)
Cassidy Evreniadis (The Grange) 9-over 72, 81 (153)
All South Australian Player Scores
LEADERBOARDS after qualifying rounds
>Mens Leaderboard
>Women’s Leaderboard
CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH PLAY SCHEDULE
Thursday 16 January: Round 1 – Match Play (32 matches) – The Grange Golf Club (East Course)
Friday 17 January: AM: Round 2 – Match Play (16 matches); PM: Round 3 – Match Play (8 matches) – The Grange Golf Club (East Course)
Saturday 18 January: AM: Quarter-Finals (4 matches); PM: Semi-Finals (2 matches) – The Grange Golf Club (East Course)
Sunday 19 January: Final (36-holes) – The Grange Golf Club (East Course)
Follow the #AusAm on twitter!
International field set for Australian Amateur
13 Jan 2014
Official hashtag: #AusAm
A field featuring over 50 international players from USA, England, China, Wales, Spain, Japan, Singapore, Korea and New Zealand will tee it up against Australia’s best in the 2014 Australian Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championships beginning next week in Adelaide.
A total of 288 players will head to The Grange Golf Club in suburban Adelaide from 14-19 January vying for Australia’s oldest golf championships and a place in the respective 2014 Australian Opens.
Qualifying is held over 36-holes with the leading 64 men and 32 women then contesting elimination match play.
The World’s Number 5 female golfer and defending Champion, Minjee Lee (WA), will go into the event as strong favourite, however fellow Australian and World No. 2 Su-Hyun Oh will also be a force to be reckoned with after an outstanding 12 months.
The women’s field has been boosted by a strong international contingent including Spanish World No. 18 Natalia Escuriola and fellow Spaniard and 2013 British Amateur Runner-up Luna Sobron with both contesting the event for the first time.
Defending New Zealand Amateur Champion Julianne Alvarez will also be a contender along with New Zealand team mate Munchin Keh.
The Men’s Championship will crown a new champion with the defending Champion Cameron Smith (Qld) having turned professional.
Grange Golf Club member and 2013 Australian Junior Champion, Anthony Murdaca will be among the favourites with a home course advantage, while National Squad members Taylor MacDonald (Qld) and Ryan Ruffels (Vic), who made headlines at the Emirates Australian Open, will also be in the mix.
One of the great stories of the men’s championship is the entry of 13 year-old Chinese player Wocheng Ye who last May became the youngest player in European Tour history to qualify for a professional event at the Volvo China Open when he was 12 years, 242 days old.
World Number 5 male golfer, Chang Woo Lee from Korea will be a lead contender along with 16 year-old Zencheng Dou from China who is an outstanding talent with a number of top finishes in 2013 including winner of the China Amateur Golf Champions and 4th place in the Asia-Pacific Amateur.
2013 Asia-Pacific Amateur runner-up, Shohei Hagegawa from Japan will also be looking to take the trophy off-shore along with his Japanese team mates Daichi Sato and Kazuki Higa.
New Zealand also brings their top talents including 2013 Lake Macquarie Champion Josh Munn, and 2012 New Zealand Stroke Play and Amateur Champion Vaughn McCall. English Players, Harry Casey and Ryan Evans and Welsh Players Jack Bush and Craig Melding, will also take their place in the field with the hope to take the trophy overseas.
The Grange is a highly regarded golfing complex with both the East and West Course ranked among the top courses in Australia.
In recent years both courses have been totally redeveloped with the East Course reopened in 2012 following a total reconstruction by Greg Norman Golf Course Design.
Once again, State and International Teams will contest the Ross Herbert National and International Teams Trophies, played in conjunction with the two qualifying rounds.
The Amateur Championships are Australia’s oldest golfing events, dating back to 1894. Past winners include Michael Clayton, Michael Campbell, Matt Goggin, Brett Rumford, Kristie Smith, and Nikki Campbell, and with both champions receiving exemptions into the Australian Open, they are the most prized titles in Australian amateur golf.
Entry is free for spectators with play commencing at 7.30 am on Tuesday 14 January.
CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE
Tuesday 14 January: Round 1 Qualifying – The Grange Golf Club (East & West Course)
Wednesday 15 January: Round 2 Qualifying – The Grange Golf Club (East & West Course)
Thursday 16 January: Round 1 – Match Play (32 matches) – The Grange Golf Club (East Course)
Friday 17 January: AM: Round 2 – Match Play (16 matches); PM: Round 3 – Match Play (8 matches) – The Grange Golf Club (East Course)
Saturday 18 January: AM: Quarter-Finals (4 matches); PM: Semi-Finals (2 matches) – The Grange Golf Club (East Course)
Sunday 19 January: Final (36-holes) – The Grange Golf Club (East Course)
For immediate release: 10 January 2014
Tournament website: www.australianamateur.com.au
Tournament hashtag: #AusAm
A field featuring over 50 international players from USA, England, China, Wales, Spain, Japan, Singapore, Korea and New Zealand will tee it up against Australia’s best in the 2014 Australian Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championships presented by Audi beginning next week in Adelaide.
A total of 288 players will head to The Grange Golf Club in suburban Adelaide from 14-19 January vying for Australia’s oldest golf championships and a place in the respective 2014 Australian Opens.
Qualifying is held over 36-holes with the leading 64 men and 32 women then contesting elimination match play.
The World’s Number 5 female golfer and defending Champion, Minjee Lee (WA), will go into the event as strong favourite, however fellow Australian and World No. 2 Su-Hyun Oh will also be a force to be reckoned with after an outstanding 12 months.
The women’s field has been boosted by a strong international contingent including Spanish World No. 18 Natalia Escuriola and fellow Spaniard and 2013 British Amateur Runner-up Luna Sobron with both contesting the event for the first time.
Defending New Zealand Amateur Champion Julianne Alvarez will also be a contender along with New Zealand team mate Munchin Keh.
The Men’s Championship will crown a new winner with the defending Champion Cameron Smith (Qld) having turned professional.
Grange Golf Club member and 2013 Australian Junior Champion, Anthony Murdaca will be among the favourites with a home course advantage, while National Squad members Taylor MacDonald (Qld) and Ryan Ruffels (Vic), who made headlines at the Emirates Australian Open, will also be in the mix.
One of the great stories of the men’s championship is the entry of 13 year-old Chinese player Wocheng Ye who last May became the youngest player in European Tour history to qualify for a professional event at the Volvo China Open when he was 12 years, 242 days old.
World Number 5 male golfer, Chang Woo Lee from Korea will be a lead contender along with 16 year-old Zencheng Dou from China who is an outstanding talent with a number of top finishes in 2013 including winner of the China Amateur Golf Champions and 4th place in the Asia-Pacific Amateur.
2013 Asia-Pacific Amateur runner-up, Shohei Hagegawa from Japan will also be looking to take the trophy off-shore along with his Japanese team mates Daichi Sato and Kazuki Higa.
New Zealand also brings their top talents including 2013 Lake Macquarie Champion Josh Munn, and 2012 New Zealand Stroke Play and Amateur Champion Vaughan McCall. English Players, Harry Casey and Ryan Evans and Welsh Players Jack Bush and Craig Melding, will also take their place in the field with the hope to take the trophy overseas.
The Grange is a highly regarded golf club with both the East and West Course ranked among the top courses in Australia.
In recent years both courses have been totally redeveloped with the East Course reopened in 2012 following a total reconstruction by Greg Norman Golf Course Design.
Once again, State and International Teams will contest the Ross Herbert National and International Teams Trophies, played in conjunction with the two qualifying rounds.
The Amateur Championships are Australia’s oldest golfing events, dating back to 1894. Past winners include Michael Clayton, Michael Campbell, Mathew Goggin, Brett Rumford, Kristie Smith, and Nikki Campbell, and with both champions receiving exemptions into the Australian Open, they are the most prized titles in Australian amateur golf.
Entry is free for spectators with play in the first Stroke Play qualifying round commencing at 7.30 am on Tuesday 14 January. The 36 hole men’s and women’s finals take place on Sunday 19 January.
-ends-
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Mobile: 0438 052 585 or hamishj@golf.org.au
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About Golf Australia
Golf Australia is the national sporting organisation for golf in Australia and the governing body for amateur golf. Our goal is to raise the level of interest and participation in the game from grassroots golfers through to the elite levels, spectators, volunteers and associated industry bodies. Key responsibilities incorporate managing national tournaments and championships including the Australian Opens as well as rules and handicapping. Working in with government, business and the community, Golf Australia ensures the value of golf is understood and supported in all policy and business decisions.
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