South Australian Am: Jordan Cooper prevails
24 Mar 2013
see also: Jordan Cooper Rankings
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ADELAIDE, Australia (March 24, 2013) -- Jordan Cooper from the Sanctuary Lakes Golf Club in Victoria is the 2013 South Australian Men’s Amateur Champion, after a hard fought win against New South Welshman Troy Moses (Bonnie Doon GC) in a final that featured four lead changes.
Claiming victory on the 38th hole with a par, Cooper was ecstatic claiming his first big event. “I came to SA for a good result. I won my first Ivo Whitten event in early February, but I’ve missed the last 7 cuts in national events over the past 4 months” Cooper said.
Cooper is the first interstate player to win the SA State Championship since New South Welshman Keith Pix won the title in 1951.
“I’ve done a lot of putting work with Victorian State Coaches Richard Cooney and Marty Joyce over the past few weeks and the hard work has paid off, I’m definitely relieved”. Cooper added
Cooper started the final well, going 3 up through 9 holes, courtesy of birdies on 8 and 9, before Moses took holes 11, 12, 14 and 15 to go 1up. However, a birdie to Cooper on the 375metre par 4, 16th, once again squared the match.Through 18 the players were square. “I was hitting the ball really solid, a couple of 3 putts hurt, but I was able to get up and down when I needed it”. Cooper said.
With the wind picking up in the afternoon and the front 9 completed, Moses edged ahead to be 2 up after 27. Cooper squared the ledger with an up and down on the par 3, 12th followed by a birdie 4 on the 13th.
Heading down the 36th hole, with the match square, from 130metres off sand, Moses landed his approach 15 feet from the pin, while Cooper overshot the green and faced an up and down to save the match.
Moses’s mid-range attempt came agonisingly close, lipping out low side, leaving Cooper a 12 footer on the same line to save the match. His putt went straight in the centre of the cup forcing the match to extra holes.
After squaring the 37th hole, Cooper landed pin high right, just off the green for two, on the 314metre 2nd hole, while Moses landed short, leaving a tricky pitch over the front left bunker.
Moses 3rd shot landed 15 yards short, while Cooper’s deft chip rolled to within a few feet.
Cooper claimed the State Championship after Moses’ narrowly missed a long putt to save the match.