Inspired Hoath on a fast track to top
GOLD Coast teenager Lewis Hoath took one look at the names of past winners of the Greg Norman Junior Masters and made it his task to one day be as good as some of them.
Golfing luminaries Adam Scott and Cameron Smith are past winners of the annual junior tournament and Hoath declared it was his goal to be every bit as good as the Queenslanders.
Hoath is just 17 and may not yet be entitled to be called the next Adam Scott but there is nothing wrong in him saying he feels he can be every bit as good.
Certainly, a recent hot streak in major junior events by the teenager suggests he is on the way.
“When I saw the names on the trophy – Adam Scott, Cameron Smith, Michael Sim and Steve Bowditch – it made me feel so good,” Hoath said.
“Would I like to emulate them? That’s the goal.”
Hoath’s remarkable run started at the Coolangatta Tweed Heads Junior Classic, which he won with a oneover-par 73 in windy conditions.
He subsequently lost in a playoff in the Ian BakerFinch Junior at Twin Waters after a one-under 71.
Then it was a seven-under 203 to win The Hills Junior Open; a four-under 136 for the Adam Scott Junior at Sanctuary Cove; and a 70 for a countback loss in the Cameron Smith Junior at Wantima.
Around Palmer Colonial and Palmer Gold Coast Hoath maintained his form and finished the 72-hole event with a six-under 66.
A stunning statistic indicates just how much potential is in the youngster, who is coached at Colonial by David Nable.
Hoath’s scoring average for his last six tournaments is 69.41. That compared favourably to the US PGA Tour scoring average around 71.1.
“It’s just the confidence side,” Hoath explained when asked about feelings of floating on a cloud.
“Even if I make a mistake I feel I can make up for it quickly.”
A plus-2 handicapper at Emerald Lakes, Hoath can get the ball out there.
He can whack a driver 270 to 280 metres although normally hits a three-iron from most tees.
And he can send a wedge to around 135 metres.
His favourite is definitely Scott and he has now won the 2013 US Masters winner’s event twice.
WOULD I LIKE TO EMULATE THEM? THAT’S THE GOAL COAST TEEN LEWIS HOATH