Rankin takes out Queensland Medal
IN: News | Queensland Mens | Queensland Medal (2008) | Round Four | by Anthony Powter | 02 May 2008
Brett Rankin has won the Queensland Medal to claim his maiden amateur title and join fifteen other hopefuls moving into the Queensland Amateur Championship, starting Tuesday 6th May at Bribie Island Golf Club.
Rankin fired rounds of 68-66-67-68 to finish 15-under-par, seven strokes ahead of his nearest rival, Ray Beaufils, at 8-under-par. Emerging talent, Aaron Wilkin, 15, was outright third at 7-under-par, followed by Eagle Chang and Gavin Fairfax in tied 4th at 6-under-par.
“I knew following my third round 67, that my game was on,” said Rankin, after carding only 3 bogeys in the 72 hole stretch.
“Since Royal Adelaide, my game has been there. I’ve changed the way that I was setting up to the ball and it’s obviously working.”
Rankin finished top 16 at the Australian Amateur, only to be knocked out by finalist, Michael Foster. His finished at Adelaide, a refreshing change to what had otherwise been an ordinary season.
“My frustration levels had rocketed after the Riversdale Cup,” remarked Rankin. Rankin finishing 48th at Riversdale and then went on to find himself knocked out of the National squad.
“That really hurt and motivated me more to play better,” said Rankin. “All season I’ve been struggling a bit and just had not been able to get the results and then to be dropped, just capped it off.”
Rankin’s previous best finish had been runner-up in the 2006 SAGA Invitational, where Rick Kulacz pipped him by a single shot to claim the title during the closing stages of the final round.
“It’s just a relief to finally claim a main title,” remarked Rankin this evening, as he was preparing to celebrate with some mates.
Sixteen players will contest elimination match-play for the Queensland Amateur title, in one of Australia’s oldest tournaments which dates back to 1900. Former winners include current PGA Tour player Jason Day (2004,2006), Andrew Buckle (2002) and Gavin Flint (2003), whilst last year’s champion, Rika Batibasaga has since turned professional.
Rankin remains confident with his game and how he’s playing and is looking forward to the challenge of match-play.
“It’s obviously a different situation with one-on-one style match-play. I’ve got a few days to get ready and that feels like it will be whole new tournament. I love the layout at Bribie Island, so I’m looking forward to seeing if I can take both out.”
If Rankin is able to achieve the coveted double, it certainly will be an achievement, as well as proving to himself that he has what it takes to beat the best.
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