West Australian Open

Amateur Goss claims victory over Professionals at WA Open

18-year-old amateur Oliver Goss has claimed the 2012 John Hughes Geely / Nexus Risk Services WA Open Championship played at Royal Perth Golf Club.

"It was definitely hot out there, I was glad when it was over after 18 holes and five extra playoff holes, I am pretty knackered to be honest," said Goss.

"I guess things were just flowing and I definitely putted better today than I have any other day, I think that's what made the difference."

Battling all day were amateurs Oliver Goss and Brady Watt each producing some outstanding golf to finish at 16-under 272.

"Brady is another solid player, it definitely wasn't easy, but I guess I may have felt the pressure a bit more if I had been playing with Scott Strange or Brett Rumford," added Goss.

With an eagle opportunity on the 18th to claim the Championship Goss came up short and with Watt making birdie the pair headed to a playoff.

Goss and Watt played the par 5 463metre 18th twice but after the each birdied it, they moved to the par 4 284 metre 8th hole.

"I was just glad to continue on with some of the holes, I was the underdog a couple of times, I was just glad to get to the next hole and start again," added Goss.

In total it took five playoff holes until Goss emerged the victor.

"I thought I have got to win, I have nothing to lose, so I just pulled out driver the last few times and fortunately it worked out."

Goss becomes the first amateur since Stephen Leaney in 1991 to win the WA Open Championship and the first since Danny Lee in 2009, to win a PGA Tour of Australasia tournament.

"It feels pretty surreal, it hasn't really sunk in at the moment but I bet it will tomorrow morning."

"I like to think it's quite a good achievement and I am really happy," Goss added.

Watt was happy with his performance throughout the week.

"I was just happy because I won last week and put myself in position to get another W this week, I fell a little bit short but that's golf," said Watt, who won the Keperra Bowl.

Finding the form he was looking for all week on the back nine today, Brett Rumford finished the leading Professional with a 14-under 274.

"A good finish, I don't know where that was all week," said Rumford.

"It was probably the 9iron into 12, it just had a mechanical click, I was searching for it all week and seemed to find it and finished really strong."

Rumford was impressed by the young amateurs who topped the leaderboard today.

"Certainly for these guys they have tremendous talent, I am really looking forward to seeing what these guys can do in the future," added Rumford.

With a final round of 7-under 65, Rumford set a new course record at his home club of Royal Perth but he wasn't alone, Daniel Nisbet also managed the feat, on his way to recording a 12-under 276 tied 6th finish in his first outing as a Professional.

Crowds at Royal Perth were also treated to another remarkable achievement, a hole-in-one by Scott Strange at the par-3 141 metre 12th hole.

Defending champion Rohan Blizard and last year's runner up Ashley Hall finished tied 4th at 13-under 275.

A further shot back tied 6th were Daniel Nisbet (QLD), Nick Cullen (SA) and Scott Strange (WA).

The PGA Tour of Australasia will now take a two week break before returning to Kingston Heath in Melbourne for the Australian Masters which will feature Ian Poulter (ENG), Graeme McDowell (NIR) and Adam Scott (AUS).

Source: PGA Australia

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