Cameron John watches his drive on the 18th hole
(Golf Australia Photo)
WOLLONGONG, Australia (April 6, 2017) -- Victorian Cameron John has jumped to the lead of the Australian Boys Amateur Championship at Wollongong Golf Club this afternoon, carding a sizzling 6-under par 63 for a two-round total of 6-under par 132.
The 17-year old from Commonwealth Golf Club had eight birdies and only two bogies in a standout performance to sit one shot in front of the morning front-runner Sydney’s Harrison Crowe.
Overnight co-leader Norman Bonnet carded a one-under par 68. He sits alone in third position. A group of six players including Jones Comerford and Tyson Holmes from NSW, Joshua Armstrong of the ACT, Mitchell Varley from Queensland and the Kiwi pair of Tom Parker and Dominic Brettkelly, sit in a tie for 4th at two-under par.
“It was pretty solid; I didn’t make too many mistakes,” a relaxed John said. “I putted well; it was solid.
”I made a good putt on seven, then birdied eight from three feet, I made another on nine to get to three under through the turn, and I had only made a couple of pars,” he smiled.
“I didn’t make a bogey on the back nine; I went after one on the last, and luckily it paid off. I was happy with that.”
John, playing his fifth junior championship, would love to add the Boy’s Amateur Championship to his growing resume. “I haven’t won the Aussie Junior, but I’ve won the Scottish Strokeplay and Argentine Amateur, they’re my best two wins by far,”
“I won the Victorian Amateur in 2015 too; It gave me a kick-start.”
Despite playing a limited program of junior events, John believes the Boys Championship will launch his 2017 campaign on the international amateur circuits of the United Kingdom and the US.
He’s also hopeful his performances for the remainder of this year will lead to starts during the Australian Summer of Golf.
“I haven’t played a whole lot of junior events in the last couple of years, this event and the Srixon Junior International are the only tournaments I play,”
“I played solid last year in the UK and America; I want to head back to the States, they are great courses it was an awesome experience.”
“I hope to play in the Australian Open or the PGA later in the year too,”
Ranked inside the top 150 of the Official Amateur World Rankings, John believes his experience will be the key over tomorrow’s 36 holes final.
“This is my fifth event of the year and my third final-round grouping. I've been playing solid this year, I’ve had a lot of experience, I’m going to be a little bit nervous, but I can't wait to get out there,”
“I’ve just got to keep hitting it long; I’m hitting it long and pretty good,” he grinned.
GIRL'S DIVISION
Hannah Park has maintained her lead in the Girls Australian Amateur Championship after carding a two-under par round of 71 at Port Kembla Golf Club today. However, the round of the day belonged to her New South Wales teammate, Grace Kim.
Park from New South Wales Golf Club, carded four birdies and two bogeys in her round to sit at 5-under par for the tournament. She is one shot in front of her State teammates Grace Kim, who carded the round of the tournament a five-under par 68, and Doey Choi, who carded a three-under par 70.
Sitting in a tie for fourth place at two under par are the pair of Maddison Hinson-Tolchard from Western Australia and Queensland’s Isabelle Taylor. First round co-leader Kon Matsumoto stumbled with a three-over par 76 but remains well in contention.
Park was relaxed about her second round, but felt she could do better. “I had some good holes, had some bad holes. My putting didn’t help. I made some good up and downs though,”
Kim was amazing in carding the round of the tournament, a stellar five under par 68, which included five birdies and not a single bogey.
“I felt pretty good today,” Kim smiled. “I was more committed to my shots, especially my putting than I was yesterday. I felt relaxed.”
“My mind motto was fairways and greens and two-putt. I had a few up and downs as well,” she smiled.
Choi, playing in her last Junior Amateur, was thrilled to be in contention.
“I played pretty well today,”
“This is my last Junior. I’ve played in five, and it will be fun to have a win in my final year,” Choi said.
Conditions today were ideal for the 88 girls playing in the tournament, and the forecast for tomorrow is no different. The leading trio, all members of the Golf NSW Junior and Women’s State team are looking forward to playing together in the final group over the last two rounds.
“I’m looking forward to playing with them; we are all good friends. It will be friendly, It will be competitive, but I won’t focus on that,”
“Regardless of who wins, I will be happy for them.” Park said.
View results for Australian Junior Amateur