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29th March 2008
Nisbet holds on to
win Australian Boys Amateur Championship
On what will go down as a memorable day in the young life
of Daniel Nisbet, the talented Queenslander held on to win
the Australian Boys' Junior Amateur title before being selected
for the second successive year to represent his country at
the Toyota World Junior Golf Team Championship.
Nisbet fired a final round 69 to hold off a spirited challenge
by West Australian Aidan Bae. The enthralling duel was a fitting
end to the tournament and a carbon-copy of the battle for
the Australian Junior of Merit which was also won by Nisbet
in 2007.
Daniel Nisbet - Australian Boys Amateur Champion
The champ started the week in fine form, moving out to a
share of the opening round lead before wrestling his way to
the top of the leaderboard, which is where he remained despite
a hearty challenge.
Bae did well to remain in contention after an opening round
74 threatened to scupper his title hopes before they had a
chance to blossom. At three-over he was six shots off the
pace at one stage before making his way through the field,
thanks mostly to a second-round 66. The West Australian maintained
the pressure throughout the final round before succumbing
with a gallant 71 to trail Nisbet by three-strokes.
Nisbet said, "I was fortunate enough to win the Aaron
Baddeley Junior event in China late last year but it's an
even better feeling to finally win an event in Australia.
"I am really looking forward to the months ahead. Hopefully
I can keep playing good golf and get the opportunity to keep
representing my country, because it's something that I am
extremely proud of."
In a double coup for this week's frontrunners, the Australian
team for the Toyota World Junior was announced at the presentation
and suitably featured the top-three players from the action
at Spring Valley Golf Club. Daniel Nisbet (Qld), Aidan Bae
(WA) and Bryden Macpherson (Vic) were selected along with
Brendan Smith (NSW) to represent Australia at Chukyo Golf
Club from June 18-21.
Interestingly Queenslanders have dominated the Australian
Boys Amateur Championship with 10 of the last 12 champions
hailing from the Sunshine State.
Nisbet will now spearhead Queensland’s Boys State Team
who will contest the Australian Boys Team Matches beginning
on Monday. They will be keen to regain the title after finishing
runners-up last year to New South Wales. For all of the action
next week – keep an eye on www.golfaustralia.org.au
Click
here to view the final leaderboard
Photo - Golf Australia
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