Adam Gee wins for England in final day contest with Australia

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29th January 2006

In one of the most exciting finishes in the tournament's history England’s Adam Gee has become the first overseas player since Nick Dougherty in 2001 to win the Lake Macquarie International Amateur Championship.

Gee (photo courtesy Anthony Powter Iseegolf) started the final day with a two shot lead over Australian Mitchell Brown and continued to play with his eye firmly on the top prize as he managed to extend his lead to 7 strokes after 10 holes of the final round. However nerves set in as he headed for the finish and he suffered a run of three bogeys on the 11th, 12th, 13th and then another bogey on the 17th.

At the same time a new Australian treat was snapping at his heels in the shape of Jason Day who in the final five holes achieved a birdie, par, eagle, birdie and birdie and carded a score of 63 for his final round, a new course record. After 72 holes both players finished at 15 under par.

Once into the playoff both players secured successful birdie putts at the first hole. The next hole saw both Gee and Day take par which meant they went to the 18th hole looking at a sudden death situation but again nothing could split them as they both missed birdie putts. A return to the first hole again saw them both make regulations pars.

The fifth play off hole proved to be the decider with Gee keeping his cool and holing a four foot putt to bring the trophy back to England for the fourth time in 20 years.

Gee will now move on to the New South Wales Medal and Amateur Championship which takes place on 4th - 12th February with a possible double victory celebration in his sights. Gary Wolstenholme is the defending champion in the New South Wales Amateur following his two stroke victory from Ireland’s Sean McTernan at Pymble a year ago.

Final Scores
1. Adam Gee – England 69, 69, 66, 69 273
2. Jason Day – Australia 68, 72, 70, 63 273
3. Won Joon Lee - Australia 66, 71, 73, 64 274

Others
T14 Ben Parker – England 68, 72, 73, 70 283
T19 Jamie Moul - England 66, 71, 74, 74 285
T24 Gary Wolstenholme – England 71, 71, 72, 73 287