Murdaca Wins Asia-Pacific Amateur to Qualify for Masters
Murdaca, 19, from Adelaide, became the first Australian winner of the regional championship, closing with a one-under-par 71 to finish seven shots clear of the field for the biggest winning margin in the event's history.
- Agence France-Presse
- Updated: October 26, 2014 01:56 PM IST
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Australia's Antonio Murdaca will play in the 2015 Augusta Masters and the British Open Qualifying Series this year after winning the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship at Royal Melbourne on Sunday.
Murdaca, 19, from Adelaide, became the first Australian winner of the regional championship, closing with a one-under-par 71 to finish seven shots clear of the field for the biggest winning margin in the event's history.
Heading into the final round eight shots clear, the two-time Australian junior champion saw his lead shrink to five shots through nine holes as Japan's Mikumu Horikawa briefly threatened.
But it was the only time Murdaca felt any pressure and he responded with a 20-foot birdie on the par-4 10th. Another birdie at the par-5 14th retrieved his advantage to seven shots.
Murdaca made a string of pars to finish and reached the 18th green in regulation to cruise to victory.
Murdaca tapped in for a four to finish at 13-under with rounds of 69-68-67-71, with Horikawa outright second at six-under.
"It's a dream that's come true for me now, and I always wanted to play in the Masters," Murdaca said.
"It's so exciting now knowing I've got a spot in there, and also in the Qualifying Series for The Open at St Andrews."