Photo: Courtesy Australian Master of the Amateurs
Rising amateur stars Abel Eduard and Raegan Denton made it an Aussie double for the first time in five years on an enthralling final day at the Master of the Amateurs in Melbourne.
OTHER NEWS: Brooks Koepka applies to return to PGA Tour after leaving LIV Golf
Eduard (73) began the final round of the Men’s Championship at Southern Golf Club with a four-stroke buffer and had to hold off a fast-charging Harry Takis (66) to claim the biggest win of his amateur career.
Even par through 10 holes, an eagle at the par-5 11th would prove crucial over the final seven holes.
A par save at 13 was crucial, the Kew and Kingston Heath member cruising to a two-stroke win at 13-under-par despite three bogeys in his final five holes.
“Going into the week, didn’t really know what was going to happen,” said Eduard, the 2023 NSW Amateur champion.
“Felt like my game was good and stuck to it, put myself in a good position after the first round (9-under 63) and happy to get the job done over the four days.
“There’s no feeling like having a putt to win. No matter how many shots you are ahead, you’re always going to be a little bit nervous but I was very happy that I knew I’d got the job done.
“To be able to come out here at the start of the year and get the job done this week is really good for my confidence. Just hoping I can build from it.”
OTHER NEWS: Watch cricket cult hero Travis Head drain MONSTER putt 24 hours after winning The Ashes
The Women’s Championship came down to a shootout between Denton and American Catherine Park.
The pair started the final round tied at seven-under par, Denton’s 10 straight pars through the middle of her round allowing her to also absorb two late bogeys and complete a one-stroke win.
“It was a really strong field coming into it, lots of really strong international players so I was really looking forward to the challenge,” said Denton, the 2025 Australian Girls Junior champion.
“Coming into it with those couple of wins gave me a lot of confidence to know that I can perform really well.”
An up-and-down off wood chips behind the 13th green to save par was just one example of the South Australian’s ability to scramble and play gritty golf.
“I think that was a pretty big turning point in the match today both in the score but also mentally,” she added.
“It was a bit of a turning point for sure and just being able to make an up-and-down from a tricky spot that was really good.
“Sure there were a lot of pressures that made it a bit of a trickier week but it was just a really good week.”