Spencer Harrison (Golf WA Photo)
Spencer Harrison, the 16-year-old golfing prodigy from Perth, Australia, claimed a hard-fought victory at the Mandurah Amateur Championship, held at the Mandurah Country Club in Halls Head, Australia. Harrison finished with a total score of 2-over 215.
Harrison’s consistency was key, with rounds of 72-71-72 earning him a two-stroke victory. This win adds to an impressive year, which has already seen him finish as the runner-up in the WA Men’s Amateur and claim the State Boys Championship title in July.
Entering the final round at 1-over par, Harrison was three strokes behind the 36-hole leader, Bailey Hampson, who had set the pace with rounds of 71-69. Despite the deficit, Harrison’s resilience shone through in a dramatic final round.
The young golfer played the front nine in a steady fashion, carding nine consecutive pars to keep himself in contention. However, the back nine was a rollercoaster ride, with the lead changing hands multiple times. A series of bogeys between the 10th and 13th holes seemed to knock Harrison out of the running, but his determination never wavered.
A pivotal birdie on the par-five 14th hole brought him back into contention. Harrison then displayed nerves of steel, sinking clutch birdies on the final two holes to seize the lead as his competitors faltered.
Bailey Hampson, the overnight leader, struggled in the final round, posting a 78 to finish tied for fifth at 5-over. Ollie Marsh of Wanneroo Golf Club shot rounds of 73, 69, and 75 to finish joint runner-up at 4-over, alongside Josiah Edwards and Simon Liddell, who both ended the tournament at 4-over after respective rounds of 68-73-76 and 75-68-74.
In the women’s division, 20-year-old Pantita Amie Phobubpa claimed the title with a steady performance, carding rounds of 69, 74, and 74 for a total score of 4-over 217.
Phobubpa led the field by three strokes heading into the final round and maintained her advantage through the front nine. However, a late charge from Yerin Kim, who birdied the 10th, 11th, and 17th holes, brought the contest to the brink of an upset.
Despite the pressure, Phobubpa held her nerve. A bogey on the 12th and another on the 17th cut her lead to just one stroke as the pair approached the 18th tee. Kim, needing a strong finish, faltered with a bogey on the final hole, while Phobubpa made a solid par to secure a two-shot victory.
Yerin Kim’s rounds of 74, 72, and 73 earned her a runner-up finish at 6-over.
ABOUT THE
Mandurah Amateur
72 hole stroke play championship with a cut
after 36 holes.
View Complete Tournament Information