Phoenix Campbell and Rianne Malixi – AMOTA Champions – image Anthony Powter
The Australian Master of the Amateurs Men’s title has gone to Melbourne golfer, Phoenix Campbell, whose final two rounds of 65 and 67 swept him from a ten-shot deficit through 36 holes to a one-shot victory in the prestigious event and added to a stunning two months in which he has won an event on the PGA Tour of Australasia and now a leading amateur event.
The Yarra Yarra golfer who also came from well off the final day pace to win the Queensland PGA Championship in November, began the final round 35 minutes ahead of the final group today at the Southern Golf Club in Melbourne’s sandbelt and after a steady outward nine of 2 under 34 had him closing in on the lead he took control of the event with a final nine of 33 to complete his round one ahead of his fellow Victorian Siddharth Nadimpalli.
Nadimpalli, from the Spring Valley Golf Club, also closed quickly with a final round of 66 after beginning his final round 90 minutes ahead of the final group and actually had the lead before Campbell birdied the 17th to move one ahead and then par the last to lead in the clubhouse. A bogey at the last proved very costly for Nadimpalli.
Campbell, who also won the Riversdale Cup in Melbourne twelve months ago, has served notice that he is well on track for a successful professional career when the decision comes for him to turn to the paid ranks.
New Zealand’s Zackary Swannick shared the lead through 36 holes but was unable to make any real progress over the final 36 and finished in 3rd place and two shots from Campbell.
The women’s Master of the Amateurs title went to 16-year-old Rianne Mikhaela Malixi of the Philippines who won by a shot over India’s Avani Prashanth, Prashanth just missing a 15-footer from behind the final green to force a playoff.
Japan’s Nika Ito birdied six holes in a row during today’s final round before dropping four shots late in her round to finish two shots from the winner.
