Matt Jager wins Federal Amateur
IN: News | Australian Mens Amateur | Federal Amateur Open Championship (2008) | Round Four | by Anthony Powter | 06 Oct 2008
Matt Jager has won his first National Trial selection event with a one-stroke victory over France’s Victor Dubuisson at the Federal Amateur in Canberra.
Jager finished the tournament with a 4-under-par final round to be at 13-under-par with rounds of 72-69-66-68 and in the process claimed his second major international amateur title in as many weeks.
Matt Jager Audio Interview
Jager, ranked 18th in the world, won his first international victory a fortnight ago with a two-stroke victory in the Tournament of International Jockey Club of Rosario in Argentina. The win at the Federal Amateur this afternoon was no easy affair for Jager, who was pressed by both Dubuisson and Bryden MacPherson during the closing stages of the final round.
“It was tough out there,” said Jager who started the final round three strokes behind Dubuisson.
Jager opened with a birdie barrage on the front nine to bypass overnight leader Dubuisson for a two stroke margin after the opening nine holes.
Jager was 14-under-par at the turn having started the final day at 9-under-par and quickly made his move on the 4th hole with solid par to Dubisson’s bogey.
“The putt on the 4th was critical,” said Jager.
“It kept me in the match and got me to one behind the leader. My game has been strong all week and all the hard work I’ve been doing with my coach and on my swing is paying off.”
Dubuisson, ranked 29th in the world, continued to bomb his drives in an aggressive attacking style around the 6,248 metre Federal Golf Club layout. The Frenchman had an opportunity on the 15th to equal the lead after Jager missed the fairway and was hitting his third in from 80 metres.
Dubuisson converted his birdie putt to reduce the deficit to one, but a critical six foot putt from Jager kept the the difference to a shot with three holes to play.
Jager was able to keep his composure despite a wayward drive on the 17th, which had him in the trees where he was forced to punch back out into the fairway. Resulting pars had Jager maintaining his lead heading down the 18th, where both made regulations pars.
“On the 15th I was in trouble and my lead was reducing,” remarked Jager.
“I managed to dig deep and keep it going to finish the job. This win is special, not because it’s my first National Trial win, but the way I was able to come from behind and keep it going to go on and win.”
Jager was obviously relieved with his maiden Australian win following his round.
“Winning these National Trial events are never easy and to win from the position that I started in this morning is extremely satisfying.”
“It’s the start for the season I was after and the last two weeks for me have been probably the best run that I had with my game.”
Bryden MacPherson ended the tournament in 3rd position at 11-under-par, followed by England’s Todd Adcock at 10-under-par, whilst Matthew Griffin was in 5th position at 9-under-par.
Discuss this article in our forums
