Three of New South Wales’ brightest young golf talents came within a whisker of glory today, each falling just short in nail-biting playoff finishes at the Australian Junior Championships at Indooroopilly Golf Club.
In the girls’ event, 17-year-old Rachel Lee of Avondale Golf Club and 14-year-old Camilla Kim from The Australian Golf Club finished tied for the lead on three-over-par alongside South Australia’s Raegan Denton after four gruelling rounds.
The trio were forced into a sudden-death playoff, but it was Denton who emerged victorious on the first extra hole, edging out her NSW counterparts.
Kim, who led the tournament from the outset with rounds of 71, 72, 73 and 75, remained upbeat despite the heartbreaking finish.
“It was a really good week. Honestly, I’m really proud of myself, of how I’ve done throughout the week,” Kim said.
“I really practiced hard, and I think it definitely paid off. Just got to be unlucky at the end, but yeah, was very good.”
The rising star said she’ll take plenty of confidence into upcoming tournaments, particularly Interstate Teams matches next week.
“My putting was really solid throughout three rounds; just got a bit unlucky on a few holes today,” she added.
Lee, the reigning Australian Amateur Champion, was playing her final Australian Junior and had hoped to finish her junior career on a high.
“Well, it was a very interesting week,” she said.
“It was my last Aus Junior, so I tried to make it a little special for me. Couldn’t come in clutch in the end, but I just had a really good experience.”
Lee felt her iron play held up well during the tournament but lamented a cold putter when it mattered most.
“There’s always challenges you face, and I think that’s a good challenge for me,” she said.
“Probably try to be more confident in yourself and stay in the present and relax.”
In the boys’ competition, 17-year-old Cooper Giddings of Dubbo Golf Club fell agonisingly short in a three-hole playoff against New Zealand’s Cooper Moore after the pair finished tied on five-under-par.
Giddings, the reigning NSW Country Champion, put on a masterclass in the final round, carding a scintillating seven-under 65 that included an eagle on the 16th.
“Today just came out and played real well, which was good,” he said.
“I was hoping I was going to get something like that after how good I was hitting it all week. And then some of the putts dropped.”
Unfortunately, the putts dried up in the playoff, and Moore was able to seal the win after three tense extra holes.
Still, Giddings walked away with valuable lessons. “Just stay consistent and not get angry because there’s always more time to come back,” he said.
Despite the near-misses, all three NSW contenders showed maturity well beyond their years, reflecting positively on their performances and the experience of contending on the national stage.
“It was actually great,” Lee said of the playoff. “I actually didn’t feel much nerves. Obviously, it’s a playoff, and there’s a bit of pressure on you.”
Kim agreed: “I was so nervous, but I just knew I had to put up with it, I was with two nice girls, I was actually really comfortable playing the playoff with them.”
All three will now turn their attention to the Australian Interstate Teams Matches at Brookwater Golf & Country Club next week.
