Drama at the death as Howard wizard in Oz
MERSEYSIDE golfer Paul Howard has landed his second major international title.
The England amateur player – winner of the South American Championship in 2014 – produced a dramatic finish to win the New South Wales Amateur Championship in Australia on the 37th hole.
The 24-year old trailed his Australian opponent over the closing holes at Avondale Golf Club but a crucial birdie, when he drove the green on the par four 35th, got him back on level terms.
The 36th was halved in par before Howard clinched the win with a par on the 37th, after his opponent flew the green with his approach.
“It was a golf grinder, a close match without many bogeys,” he said.
“The turning point was driving the green on the 17th (the 35th hole of the match) to win the hole.”
Howard, from Southport & Ainsdale GC, put the seal on a successful five-week tour of Australia by a trio of England Golf players.
All three will now represent England Golf in the European Nations Cup in Spain, from 18-25 February, alongside double European champion Ashley Chesters (Hawkstone Park).
“It was nice to get a win after playing so well for the trip,” he added.
“Now, I’m looking forward to Spain and the European Nations Cup.”
Howard, who was the number two seed, had a fight on his hands throughout the final. His 18-yearold opponent David Micheluzzi made a fast start and was two under after two – and two holes up.
Howard’s own birdie on the fourth narrowed the gap and he was back on level terms after six holes.
A further birdie on the ninth put him one up and he held that slender advantage until he conceded the 16th and then lost the 18th, to reach the halfway stage at one down.
He was only to get ahead in the match once more – when he lifted the trophy on the 37th.
Micheluzzi again set off in blistering style with birdies on 19 and 20 to get to three up.
Howard answered with his own birdie on the 21st but, with seven holes to play, he was still trailing by two.
He won the 30th and 31st holes to square matters, but lost the next to a birdie to again fall behind. However, he made his vital move with his 35th hole birdie as the match turned decisively his way,
The other members of the England Golf squad were English champion Nick Marsh (Huddersfield) and Brabazon Trophy winner Ben Stow (Rushmore). Both qualified for the New South Wales matchplay championship – but Marsh was beaten by Howard in the first round and Stow lost in the second.
Howard had claimed fifth place in the Australian Master of the Amateurs at Royal Melbourne, signing off with a fourth round 66, which included six birdies on the back nine.
Nick Marsh became the Australian Amateur Championship medallist at eight under par in the stroke play qualifying and all three reached the matchplay stages. Ben Stow also secured a top ten finish in the Lake Macquarie Amateur, finishing with a pair of 68s.