Ams Murray, Micheluzzi go 1-2 at PGA Tour Australasia event
10/28/2018 | by AmateurGolf.com Staff
Zach Murray won the Nexus Risk Services WA Open as an amateur while Australian teammate David Micheluzzi was second
MT LAWLEY, Australia (Oct. 28, 2018) – An amateur won the Nexus Risk Services WA Open on Sunday for the third time in the past seven years, but far from eeking out a win in a field full of professionals, Zach Murray charged home with a commanding lead. The 21-year-old from Victoria, Australia birdied Nos. 15, 16 and 17 at Mount Lawley Golf Club coming in, had a four-shot lead on the 18th tee and won by two.
What’s more, Murray’s closest pursuer was fellow amateur David Micheluzzi, who birdied the last hole for a final-round 2-under 70 to Murray’s 69 and came up just short. For a pair of Victorian amateurs to go 1-2 at the PGA Tour of Australasia event was a big win for Australia golf.
Murray won wire-to-wire after setting the pace with an 8-under 64 in Thursday’s first round that tied the course record. He ended the event at 16 under after subsequent rounds of 70-69-69. Micheluzzi, 22, wasn’t far behind his compatriot after opening with 68 and adding rounds of 68-68-70. Both players recently competed in the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in Singapore. Murray tied for 21st while Micheluzzi tied for 30th.
Murray had his father on the bag this week.
“It feels pretty special and it’s pretty cool to have dad here caddying for me,” he said. “I knew dad was going to cry if I won, which he did. He works super hard to support my golf. It was so cool to have him here this week, to witness a win I haven’t had in a while, and my first win on the PGA Tour of Australasia.”
Murray is the third amateur to win this title behind Oliver Goss in 2012 and Curtlis Luck in 2016. Murray finished inside the top 10 here a year ago.
“It was really good for my confidence so I would say the WA Open will forever be a big part of my career and life,” said Murray, who noted that he plans to turn professional but that he won’t rush the decision just because of this weekend’s events.
Haydn Barron, another amateur from Australia, tied for ninth at 9 under.
Quotes from Golf Australia
What’s more, Murray’s closest pursuer was fellow amateur David Micheluzzi, who birdied the last hole for a final-round 2-under 70 to Murray’s 69 and came up just short. For a pair of Victorian amateurs to go 1-2 at the PGA Tour of Australasia event was a big win for Australia golf.
Murray won wire-to-wire after setting the pace with an 8-under 64 in Thursday’s first round that tied the course record. He ended the event at 16 under after subsequent rounds of 70-69-69. Micheluzzi, 22, wasn’t far behind his compatriot after opening with 68 and adding rounds of 68-68-70. Both players recently competed in the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in Singapore. Murray tied for 21st while Micheluzzi tied for 30th.
Murray had his father on the bag this week.
“It feels pretty special and it’s pretty cool to have dad here caddying for me,” he said. “I knew dad was going to cry if I won, which he did. He works super hard to support my golf. It was so cool to have him here this week, to witness a win I haven’t had in a while, and my first win on the PGA Tour of Australasia.”
Murray is the third amateur to win this title behind Oliver Goss in 2012 and Curtlis Luck in 2016. Murray finished inside the top 10 here a year ago.
“It was really good for my confidence so I would say the WA Open will forever be a big part of my career and life,” said Murray, who noted that he plans to turn professional but that he won’t rush the decision just because of this weekend’s events.
Haydn Barron, another amateur from Australia, tied for ninth at 9 under.
Quotes from Golf Australia
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