Newcastle’s Jye Pickin has put on a dominant performance to claim the South Australian Amateur Championship at Kooyonga Golf Club.
The Avondale gun, who survived a nail-biter in the morning semi-final against Queenslander Will Bowen, 1up, made short work of Western Australian Jordan Doull in the final, steamrolling his way to a 6&5 win.
“It was a real grind this morning in the semi-final, but I made a few putts then found a feel which I rode all the way home to win one up,” an elated Pickin grinned.
The final, when it got underway, shaped up as a potential battle royale, with Pickin’s opponent fast out of the gates with birdies on the opening two par fives, forcing Pickin to find another gear around the testing layout.
“I dug deep through the middle. It’s such a demanding golf course from tee to green. The greens were a bit baked, and there is a lot of run-offs.”
Full of resolve, the NSW State Team representative saw off his opponent’s early charge and, playing a high-percentage game based on simply finding lots of fairways and greens, carved out a handy three-hole lead by the turn.
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With his game on song and confidence rising, Pickin landed a telling blow on the par-four 11th to go four up. From there, he admitted he felt too hard to beat.
“I made good birdie to go three up on nine, but the turning point was on the 11.
“He (Doull) missed a tough up-and-down, and I only had to make a two-putt to go four up with seven to go.
” I knew all I had to do was keep the door closed on him from there.”
The win caps a solid year for the Novocastrian, who began 2023 with an impressive fifth placing at the Australian Amateur at St Michael’s and NSW Golf Clubs.
The Highlight, however, remains the New South Wales Men’s and Women’s Team victories at the Australian Interstate Matches at St. Michael’s Golf Club in May.
“To beat the South Aussie guys in the final of the Interstate is still the clincher for me, but to take their State Amateur Title feels pretty special,” he grinned.
