Master MacManus at Aust Masters of AM

BY Anthony Powter | Australian Mens Amateur Tour | 2011 Master of the Amateurs | Wrap | 15 Jan 2011

Tarquin MacManus’ putter was running hot during the final round of the Australian Master of the Amateurs at Royal Melbourne.

When MacManus closed the tournament in style with a monster 20 foot putt on the 18th to win his first main Australian amateur title with a three stroke victory over Ryan McCarthy, New Zealand’s Ryan Fox and England’s Andrew Sullivan, the relief on his face was obvious as he let out a huge roar and pumped his fist into the air.

It was a masterful and passionate display from the Arizona State Collegiate player as the 21-year-old stormed home with five birdies on the back nine for a closing 7-par-65 to finish at 12-under-par for the championship after earlier rounds of 74-67-70.

MacManus had tarted the final round one behind overnight leaders Tom Lewis, Ryan McCarthy and Andrew Sullivan and despite heavy rain punishing the field during the opening holes after play had been postponed for four hours, MacManus was able to hold his nerve where others faulted.

“I stuck to my guns out there,” said a jubilated MacManus at the presentation ceremony.

“I was able to keep out the external factors that were going on and it turned out that it really worked out for me. The greens were soften after the morning rain and I hit a lot of good shots in and holed a bunch of really good putts.”

MacManus was runner up last October at the prestigious the Asian Amateur Championships in Japan and the win at Royal Melbourne tops his charts so far in his amateur career.

“It’s huge this win for me,” says MacManus who’s originally from Cains.

“Especially to win on home soil. It will obviously boost my self confidence when I return back to the Sates tomorrow.”
MacManus will receive an exemption into the 2011 British Amateur Championship, the Porter Cup, The Players Amateur USA, The Dogwood Invitational USA, and the Canadian Mens Amateur Championship. It has opened doors and he’s keen to take advantage of the offerings.

“Hopefully I can take this win with me and move with my game. I’m fairly competitive and I was pleased to see how well I was able to come home and get the job done.”

This win will hopefully signal the return to form which had MacManus in 2009 securing solid results in the US that included a 3rd at the 2009 Southern Amateur Championship and a tie for 6th at The Players Amateur. As a junior MacManus also collected numerous titles back in Australia, including the Greg Norman Junior Masters in 2006 and in 2007 he won the Queensland Junior Championships before then going onto the US collegiate system where this year he’ll finish his final year at Arizona State.

“I’d recommend to anyone to give the US collegiate system a go,” says MacManus.

“I’m stronger from it, as is my game. The work you put in helps you win events like this and it shows that you can get the results.”

Ryan McCarthy, Andrew Sullivan and Ryan Fox all had their chances to claim this title but had to settle runners up.

McCarthy played stellar golf with rounds of 65-73-72-69 to finish at 9-under-par along with Fox and Sullivan. McCarthy is eager to gain another main amateur title to add to his victories at the Tasmanian Open and Amateur in 2009 and improve on his world ranking of 19.

New Zealand’s Ryan Fox displayed wonderful power around Royal Melbourne nailing his drives tremendous distances, no more so than during the opening round last Tuesday with a peerless 8-under-par 64, yet followed that with rounds of 74-75-66.

England’s Andrew Sullivan was also a threat at this tournament, as multiple winner in EGU main events recorded rounds of 68-71-71-69. Had Sullivan’s putter being a hot as MacManus during the final round, a different situation may have unfolded.

Yet winners are grinners and MacManus was all smiles whilst holding the fine glass trophy from today’s spoils. Deservedly pleased with his efforts and wearing a champagne soaked shirt after his fellow countryman, Ryan McCarthy, drenched him on the 18th.

He had earned the win in with a blazing back nine around one of the finest courses in the world and the relief was obvious.

“I’m wrapped to have finally won an event back home,” said MacManus.

“I don’t get a chance to come back that often and to do here at Royal Melbourne, it’s something special.”