Queensland golfer Quinn Croker has secured the biggest win of his career at the Australian Amateur but local teen Amelia Harris suffered a cruel finish at Yarra Yarra in Melbourne.
Croker, 21, won the men's section by five shots on Friday, having started the day with a four-shot buffer and closed with a three-under 67 to triumph at 14 under.
Yarra Yarra local Phoenix Campbell was Croker's primary challenger in the final round, and looked early on that he like he might pull off a win.
"I'd never played with him round here before and stood on the first tee and he made a bloody good swing off the first tee so I knew it would be no kick-in," said Croker.
But Croker seemed to thrive under pressure, making three birdies in a row from holes eight through 10.
After an additional birdie on 14, Croker's lead was eight shots, and he could finally relax a little and enjoy the final stretch.
Campbell finished in solo second after a valiant 68.
Meanwhile, 15-year-old Harris, who held a six-shot lead in the women's section heading into the final round on her home course, had to settle for second place behind Japan's Mamika Shinchi, who shot a brilliant closing 66.
Shinchi, aged just 16 herself, had 10 birdies and a back nine of 31 shots.
It put her at 10-under par overall, the winner by two shots from Harris, who shot a 74.
“Obviously it stings a bit,” said Harris, who had led from the second round.
“But I’m happy with how I finished. It’s my best finish."
Another Japanese player, Aina Fujimoto, finished tied third with New Zealand’s Eunseo Cho.
