Macklin, Badhwar and Macdonald victorious in Gary Player Classic
The 2012 Gary Player Classic at Pacific Golf Club has concluded with James Macklin, Viraat Badhwar and Taylor Macdonald successful in their respective age groups.
Trailing by 2 shots after the first day, Macklin (Nudgee) stormed to the lead of the 15 and Under age group, with a 2 under par round of 70 and extended his lead on day 3 with 73. With an insurmountable 9 shot lead, Macklin held his nerve to shoot a final round of 76 to finish on 297 total and an 11 shot victory over Hyunsik Kong (Emerald Lakes).
The closest age group was the 16-17 years, with the lead changing every day. Round 1 leader Tim Hyland (Bonville), dropped back into the field with a second round 78, but fought back with a third round of one under to sit 3 shots off the leader, Teremoana Beaucousin (Tahiti).
Beaucousin was a model of consistency all week, with 3 rounds of 1 under par 71 to lead Toyota World Junior Champion Viraat Badhwar (Indooroopilly) by a shot heading into the final round.
After a tight battle all day, Badhwar had a 10 foot birdie putt on the 18th to take victory, but the putt fell short. So after 72 holes Badhwar and Beaucousin, after yet another round of 71, headed to a play-off.
Both players made par on the first play-off hole (8th) before Badhwar secured the title with a birdie on the 9th (second play-off hole). Badhwar now heads to Stanford University to begin what will no doubt be a successful college career.
Taylor Macdonald (Redcliffe) blew the competition away with a first round of 8 under par 64, and after solid rounds of 72 and 70, held a 7 shot lead over Simon Viitakangas (Palmer Gold Coast).
Viitakangas started strongly in the fourth round, recording birdies to Macdonald’s bogeys and when the group made the turn at the 10th, Macdonald’s lead was cut to only 2 shots. Viitankangas drew level mid-way through the back nine, but a birdie on the 16th gave Macdonald a one shot lead that he maintained to the end.
Congratulations must go to Pacific Golf Club for the superb condition that the course was presented in. A special thank you to the major sponsor, Adina Watches, for again providing stunning new timepieces for the victors and runners-up in each age division.
For full results, please CLICK HERE and follow the links.
