Amateur Jake Higginbottom lifts New Zealand Open trophy
Teenager Jake Higginbottom is the new champion at the New Zealand Open after homegrown competition, led by Mark Brown, collapsed with a final round one-over 73.
For the Kiwi, who had been hoping to repeat Mahal Pearce’s victory in 2003, it really was the end of the world.
For Australian Jake Higginbottom, victory could not have been any sweeter. His mother wept as he made the final putt and walked up to give a short acceptance speech before hoisting the cup in front of a cheering crowd.
"Mum was crying. Dad said he was just happy that I said a good speech - he's an idiot," Higginbottom joked to the press after the event.
He won the Open with a five-under 67, a churning stomach and a feeling of light-headed victory that had not quite sunk in yet.
"I think I was the most nervous I've ever been on the short putt on the last. I don't think it's sunk in yet. It's a great feeling and it meant a lot to me".
Higginbottom revealed he expected Brown to set a much lower mark than the one-over 73 he did in the final round.
He did enter three shots behind the Kiwi but the eight birdies played off in the end and got him that cup.
He looks forward to defending his title the next time round, probably professionally – Higginbottom is still an amateur.
Although this is not likely, critics do agree that the 19-year old Higginbottom does have a better chance at cracking the drought in defending the New Zealand Open title.
After Clearwater, and the ensuing victory “time out with the boys”, Higginbottom expects to be at the New South Wales Professional Golf Association Championship.
The Australian Open at the Lakes in Sydney awaits him after the week in New South Wales.
Although we did not know it when asked ("Oh really? No, I didn't know that. Perfect. I actually haven't heard of him"), his play there did more than just break the Kiwi competition.
It broke a 56-year-old drought in Australian amateur wins at the New Zealand Open. The last Aussie to fire his way into the history books was Harry Berwick way back in 1956.
Countrymen Jason Norris and Peter Wilson were tied for the second place with a 66 and 68 respectively. The competition had been fairly intense.
After a string of birdies on the back nine, he bogeyed on the 16th hole, which put him back in tie with Wilson and Norris who were leading the chasing pack.
A birdie on the 17th was his saving grace and the even-par on the 18th sealed the win for him. "I feel like I'm playing pretty good. I'm pretty confident," Higginbottam said.
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