Western Australia’s Scottish contingent took center stage on Thursday after stirring victories moved Robbie Morrison, Josh Greer and Connor McKinney into the second round of the Australian Amateur Championship match play.
Greer and Morrison both needed extra holes to win their games, with eight WA athletes moving into the next stage of the competition.
However it was Morrison that stole the show, taking 22 holes to overcome good friend Luka Michel during a Thursday afternoon thriller.
The high-quality fixture was played out bogey-free from both players, with neither golfer giving an inch, before the Royal Perth product sealed the win with a birdie.
Morrison was pleased with the victory, despite having to take down a long-time friend and competitor.
Lukas and I have played numerous times now,” Morrison proclaimed.
“22 holes today, both three-under, so it was a really high-quality game.”
“No bogeys (from either), it was an awesome game, he (Luka) played really well”
Ironically, both men played off in the same competition in 2018 at Yarra Yarra, with Morrison taking a second straight victory over his Victorian compatriot.
“Last year I got a bit lucky down the stretch, so I knew he was going to come at me with some force today,” he said.
“It was really great to have the family and Royal Perth members out here to watch me.”
The 21-year old is still looking for an improvement over the next three days, with the youngster learning valuable lessons from his first Australian Amateurs.
“Last year was a big learning curve for me in my first ever Aussie Amateurs,” he mentioned.
“This year, yeah it would be great to take it.”
Players enjoying perfect conditions throughout the Australian Amateur Championships
Qualifying co-medalist Connor McKinney continued his charge towards the title with a 3&2 win over New South Welshman Harrison Crowe. The 15-year old will now take on Zach Murray for a place in the final 16.
Min Woo Lee was at his clinical best narrowly beating out Mitch Waite, to set up an all-West-Australian affair between himself and Josh Greer.
Greer moved onto the next stage after a 19th hole victory over William Florimo, with a wayward tee shot from the Queenslander on the final hole gifting the Joondalup-gun victory.
Joseph Owen also needed bonus holes to defeat top Englishman Gian-Marco Petrozzi, meaning the local Karrinyup youngster will face Hayden Gulliver in the round of 32.
Connor Fewkes continued to go about his work quietly with a 4&2 victory over talented Brit Jake Burnage.
Kirsten Rudgeley navigated safely through to the last 16, beating Doey Choi 3&2 in an upset win. Rudgeley will hope to press her case further when she faces Konomi Matsumoto tomorrow.
Hira Naveed made it a perfect day for the West Australian girls, defeating Grace Kim by one hole. Naveed will now take on South Korean Selin Hyun for a spot in the last eight.
Simon Liddell was desperately unlucky late in the day, going down to Kiwi Tom Parker on the 21st, while Marty Van Eldik and Michael Dennis were outclassed in their respective matches.
Kiran Day narrowly fell to Canadian Hugo Bernard in one of the matches of the day, with teammate Ben Ferguson also falling to Japan’s Ren Yonezawa.
Adam Hatch couldn’t emulate his fine finish to yesterday’s proceedings, losing to co-medallist Darcy Boyd 3&1.
The men will play two rounds tomorrow before the Quarter-Finalists are decided into the weekend, while the women move into the top 16.
Play will resume tomorrow at 7.30AWST
