Younger wins Mandurah Easter Amateur
IN: News | Australian Mens Amateur | Mandurah Easter Amateur Championship (2007) | by Anthony Powter | 09 Apr 2007
Often the first major victory is the hardest to achieve and in Josh Younger’s case winning the 2007 Mandurah Easter Amateur this afternoon could have came at no better time. The Golf Australia National Squad member fired a closing 74 to finish at 5 under 283, holding off a spirited challenge by Rohan Blizard, who finished two shots adrift with a 3 under 285.
Ashley Umbers, the first round leader, finished third at two under, whilst Matthew Giles recorded the lowest round of the day with a closing 68, which elevated the World Junior Champion into outright 4th, a shot ahead of Andrew Dodt, who finished one over for the tournament.
This afternoon’s victory for Younger represents an important milestone for the 23-year-old Victorian. Younger is scheduled to embark upon the American amateur major circuit later next month, at the conclusion of his commitments with Victoria Golf Club in the Melbourne Major Metropolitan Pennants.
Today’s win not only gives Younger the much needed exposure before heading to the US, but more importantly the confidence he can match it with the major world amateur players.
“I’m wrapped to have won probably my first main amateur event to date. When I look back at what unfolded this week, it was keeping my game together during the second round on Sunday that won it for me today.”
“My putts were rolling well at the time and that didn’t put any pressure on me when others were struggling with the conditions. Without the round on Sunday, I would not have had the five shot lead going into this morning’s round. It was just enough in the end to get me across the line. I’m simply wrapped with the result, that’s all I can say at the moment.”
Securing the National Trial victory with the Mandurah Eastern Amateur elevates Younger to the select few who can claim a major Australian amateur victory. They are wins that are much sought after and with this afternoon’s title he joins the likes of Geoff Ogilvy, Jarrod Moseley, Brett Rumford and James Nitties, all of whom have experienced success at Mandurah.
Today’s victory has also granted Younger a start in the British Amateur, yet despite this spoil, Younger will probably concentrate on major American amateur tournaments, beginning with the Sunnehanna Amateur early in June.
“I’ve planned to go to America to play five to eight events. It will be my first trip to the US and I’m really looking forward to the experience.”
“I did not know that I was to get a start in the British Amateur in winning today’s event, so I will probably have to pass on that one, which is a bit unfortunate. I’ve already planned 80% of my trip to the US before coming here.”
Winning the Mandurah Easter Amateur builds upon Younger’s stellar performances in Victorian main amateur events over the last twelve months, which have included victories in the Latrobe Open, Boroondara Cup, the Queenscliff Open, Murray Open and the Bellarine Open, wins that resulted in claiming the Ivo Whitton Trophy for the lowest average, scoring a very respectable average of 67 per round.
Starts in last year’s Australian Open provided valuable experience as well as confidence to advance his game and adapt to varying conditions.
“I was lucky enough to win a few events in Victoria. I’ve just been plugging away and today, I was just luck to get the win. It’s probably the biggest thing I’ve won so far.”
“The first couple of days I did not put myself under too much pressure despite the conditions being terrible. Today was tougher. When conditions get tough, you just have to hang in there. Rohan [Blizard] was coming home strong and I just managed to scrap in.”
Going into the event, Younger was ranked 159th in the world, having improved slightly from the 164th ranking following his creditable 19th finish at the Australian Amateur.
Securing the Mandurah Easter Amateur is sure to continue the upward trend in world amateur rankings for Younger. Given where he’s planning to travel in American and the amount of invitations in major amateur events that he’ll be applying for, like the Porter Cup, that’s got to be a good thing.
Then again, bursting that “bubble” in securing you’re first major amateur victory is probably sweeter; either way Younger at the moment is simply “wrapped”.
Photo – Anthony Powter
