Teen follows in footsteps of greats
An Invercargill golfer’s title win steers him towards the same course as top-ranked world players. Jamie Searle reports.
Ayoung Kiwi golfer has stepped into the spotlight the same way as former world No 1 ranked players Jason Day and Adam Scott once did.
Invercargill teenager Liam Hewitt won the New Zealand under-19 title in Cromwell on Friday to join the Australians – Day (2004) and Scott (1996) – on the event’s list of winners.
Scott is now ranked 15th in the world and Day 23rd.
‘‘A lot of big names are on the cup . . . It’s nice to have my name on it too,’’ Hewitt said.
He was still on a high this week when returning to his job as a workshop technician at Windsor Architectural Hardware. ‘‘It was an unreal
feeling to win. I gave a small fist pump and I’m still buzzing.’’
The previous Southlander to achieve the title was Bruce Soulsby, who won it 41 years ago. He went on to win the 1980 US Junior Golf Championship.
Hewitt is not giving much thought to turning professional but will continue to aim high and see where it takes him.
‘‘I still need to work on my mental game to remain calm in pressure situations,’’ he said.
Chipping and putting are other parts of his game that he wants to sharpen up on.
The Queens Park Golf Club member hopes to be named in the Southland team for the New Zealand Interprovincial in Hastings in November.
Another target could be competing in the New Zealand Amateur Championships in Auckland in October.
Hewitt has been the caddie of New Zealand professional Steve Alker at the past two New Zealand Opens at Millbrook in Queenstown.
Now 18 years old, Hewitt has been playing golf for 10 years. About every six weeks he travels to Millbrook for coaching with Ben Gallie, who was in the New Zealand men’s team from 2000-02.
‘‘[Last week’s win] gave me a real confidence boost for sure, and hopefully it throws my name out there.’’
Queens Park Golf Club president Darryl McGregor has seen Hewitt steadily get better over the years.
‘‘He’d be the most exciting player to come out of the club in recent times,’’ McGregor said.
‘‘He’s got great attitude and maturity.’’
‘‘I gave a small fist pump and I’m still buzzing.’’ Liam Hewitt