Daniel da Costa Rodrigues (Portuguese Golf Federation photo)
Daniel da Costa Rodrigues entered the final round of the Portuguese Amateur with a two-shot lead, and he ended it with a three-shot victory. The 16-year-old claimed what is by far the biggest win of his young career.
With his win Rodrigues became the fourth Portuguese player to lift the trophy since 2008. He is the second consecutive player to win in his home country, following Vitor Lopes’ win from a year ago.
Rodrigues went 13 under at Montado Golf Resort in Palmela, Portugal. While his final-round 70 was far from the day’s lowest, round, it was enough to leave him three shots ahead of France’s Lucas Abrial and England’s Laurie Owen in second.
“I feel spectacular. I think it's a deserved victory, for the work I've done,” Rodrigues told the Portuguese Golf Federation. “There could be no better prize - playing at home and winning at home ... It was the best thing that could have happened to me.”
Rodrigues is ranked No. 271 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, and this was only his second time entering the event.
ROUND THREE
Portugal’s Daniel da Costa Rodrigues will take the solo lead into the final round of his home-country amateur after a third consecutive round in the 60s left him with a two-shot cushion at the 54-hole mark. The 16-year-old is 11 under at Montado Golf Resort in Palmela, Portugal, and chasing a major career victory.
Rodrigues has put together rounds of 69-67-69 so far. Two Englishmen trail him in Laurie Owen (9 under, second) and Bailey Gill (8 under, third).
Rodrigues told the Portuguese Golf Federation he intends to come out of the gate in the final round with a strong start and chase birdies.
“I’ll try to win tomorrow,” he said.
Frenchman Charles Almeida and Englishman Ben Schmidt are tied for fourth at 7 under, rounding out the top five chasers.
ROUND TWO
Daniel da Costa Rodrigues is flying the Portuguese flag at the top of his home-country amateur championship this week. Rodrigues has logged rounds of 69-67 at Montado Golf Resort in Palmela, Portugal, which has put him in a share of the lead with England’s Charlie Thornton. At the 36-hole mark, both players are 8 under.
Thornton opened with 66 at Montado, gaining an instant advantage on the field. He slid to 70 on Thursday, opening the door for Rodrigues to make a move.
Rodrigues is a 16-year-old national team member ranked No. 267 in the world. He debuted at this event last year, as a 15-year-old, and earned a top-20 finish. A Portuguese player won that week. In fact, Vítor Lopes was the third to win the trophy since 2008 when the competition changed from match play to stroke play.
Most recently, Rodrigues finished third at the Orlando International Junior, and 22nd at the same event for ramateurs.
Behind the leaders, Thornton’s English teammate Sam Done is in solo third at 7 under. Two more Englishmen, Ben Schmidt and Laurie Owen are tied for fourth at 6 under along with Welshman Matt Roberts.
ABOUT THE
Portuguese International Amateur
72 hole stroke play championship. The 40 lowest
scores over the first 54 holes including ties shall
qualify for the 4th and final round.
View Complete Tournament Information