Australian Matt Stieger lifts the 2011 Australian Amateur Title – Golf news
Australia’s Matt Stieger thrashed his formidable foe, Ben Campbell to finally lift the 2011 Australian Amateur title here at Victoria Golf Club, in Melbourne. The match was evenly poised between two quality players of the Amateur circuit until Campbell’s
3-iron approach went wayward, landing in the rough. Stieger moved ahead to quickly gain an advantage over Campbell.
“It was a tough match,” said Stieger. “The opportunity eventually came my way on the 17th when Ben pushed his approach and I was able to get mine close after escaping the green side bunker. It hasn’t really hit me yet about the win, it’s simply amazing and
I’m lost for words.”
The round opened with Stieger gaining an early lead on front nine with 1-up, only to lose it to Campbell who forged his way ahead and was 3-up by the 23rd hole. Stieger made a strong comeback with his precision iron play to level Campbell’s lead
by the 27th.
Stieger is also the winner of last month’s Tasmanian Open and had also won the Pacific Northwest Amateur Championship in British Columbia, USA, last year. This victory, being his national title, is much more important for Stieger who has been playing golf
since the age of nine when he used to battle with his father, Andrews, at the Bellata Golf Club in Narrabri.
Although a runner-up, Ben Campbell is by far, the best players of the sport at the Amateur level and is all set to be a promising professional golfer for New Zealand. Campbell has not finished out of the top five during his current performances in Australia
and is an amazing striker of the ball.
“Overall I’m pleased with my game,” says Campbell. “Matt played well and was a tough opponent. The match was in great spirits and I come away with a lot of positives with what I’ve achieved in the recent events that I’ve played and how I played out there
today.”
With his win, Stieger now will be able to participate in the 2011 Australian open, The Masters of the Amateur and the 2011 British Amateur Championships.
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