Mollymook’s Jye Halls and South Australian Amelia Whinney have claimed the men’s and women’s stroke play titles, respectively, at the 2026 NSW Amateur Championship.
Halls secured the NSW Medal Championship after finishing at ten-under par across the two-round stroke play component, played at Oatlands and Strathfield Golf Clubs. A four-under-par 67 at Strathfield on Tuesday proved decisive, giving Halls a one-shot victory over The Australian’s Darcy Mackay and South Australian Kade Bryant, who finished tied for second.
Despite finishing one shot behind Halls in the stroke play standings, Mackay claimed the Champion of Champions title after posting a total score of nine-under par.
“It feels pretty good,” Halls said.
“I’ve played this event for seven or eight years and I’ve come up short before, so to finally get my name on one of those trophies is really nice.”
Halls opened his campaign with a six-under-par round and said the consistency across both days was pleasing as he turns his attention to the match play rounds.
“I played well the first day and again today, so hopefully that form continues,” he said.
“It definitely gives me a confidence boost heading into matchplay.”
The 2026 NSW Medal Champion said strong driving and limiting mistakes would be key around Oatlands as the championship shifts to a head-to-head format.
“You’ve definitely got to drive it well off the tee and not give too many soft holes away,” he said.
“Match play is a funny game though, anything can happen. I’ll just try to take it hole by hole and play my own game.”
In the women’s championship, Whinney emerged victorious after a dramatic three-hole playoff to decide the stroke play title.
Whinney, The Australian’s Lara Thomsen and Concord’s Jordyn Deen all finished the two rounds locked at four-under par, forcing a playoff at Strathfield. Deen was eliminated after the first playoff hole, before Whinney outlasted Thomsen over two additional holes to claim the title.
“It feels really good,” Whinney said.
“I feel like this has been a long time coming, so it’s pretty special to finally get one done.”
The 22-year-old said the win was her first since her junior years, having last tasted victory at age 17.
“The playoff was definitely nerve-wracking,” she said.
“I just tried to focus on one shot at a time and reminded myself that I was proud just to be in that position.”
While Whinney said there wasn’t a single standout moment across the two days, she praised the course conditions and atmosphere.
“Both courses were in great condition, and it was just fun to be out there,” she said.
With match play set to begin, Whinney said she was comfortable with the format, having played extensive pennant and interstate match play golf.
“I’ve played quite a bit of match play, so we’ll just take it as it comes and see how it goes,” she said.
The top 32 men and top 16 women have now progressed to the match play component of the championship, which begins tomorrow at Oatlands Golf Club.
Related Links:
Final Leaderboard 2026 Men’s NSW Medal
Final Leaderboard 2026 NSW Women’s Strokeplay
Final Leaderboard 2026 Men’s NSW Champion of Club Champions
2026 NSW Amateur – Men’s (Matchplay)
2026 NSW Amateur – Women’s (Matchplay)