Day wins Amateur Stroke Play Championship
IN: News | Australian Mens Amateur | Australian Amateur Championship (2006) | Wrap | 26 Mar 2006
Australian National Squad member, Jason Day captured the 2006 Australian Men's Amateur Stroke Play Championship played at Royal Hobart and Tasmania Golf Clubs.
After two rounds the field of 295 players was cut to the leading 100 plus ties to do battle over the weekend. The third round saw four contenders for the title emerge with Day shooting 67 for a 13 under par total, to hold a one stroke lead over Mitchell Brown with Leighton Lyle one stroke further back. 2006 Riversdale Cup Champion, Steven Dartnall was another shot back on 10 under par.
The final round turned into a shootout between Queensland's Day and Lyle, from Victoria, who managed to shoot an incredible five under par 67 after being four over par through the first three holes. Day responded with an impressive round of 69 but Lyle's approach to one foot on the last hole for birdie was enough to force the event to a sudden death playoff with both players finishing on 16 under par.
The playoff was viewed by roughly 300 fans, including 1954 Australian Amateur Champion, Peter Toogood, who at the age of 75 plays local pennant in Tasmania off a handicap of 5.
Both players made solid pars on the first playoff hole. On the second, Lyle made an unlucky bogey on the second after just catching the lip of the greenside bunker. Jason Day secured a par to be crowned the Champion.
The win gives Day entry into the 2006 MFS Australian Open, to be played at Royal Sydney Golf Club in November. The leading 32 players from the championship will now face off in knock-out match play for the Australian Amateur Championship.
The Australian National Squad members will comprise 11 of the 32 qualifiers, a fantastic effort and they are sure to put up a bold showing over the forthcoming matches.
Source - www.golfaustralia.org.au
