IT was a showdown of Bledisloe Cup proportions before young Sydney amateur golfer Coby Carruthers made it a first for his country with success in Vietnam last month.
The 21-year-old Sydneysider became the first Australian to win the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final after a gripping sudden-death playoff at the Sir Nick Faldo Signature Course in Hue, Vietnam.
Carruthers headed into the final round with a two-shot lead and largely kept his composure through a tense back-nine battle with New Zealander Yuki Miya, who forced extra time with a birdie at the 18th hole of regulation to level the scores at 11-under-par 202.
Carruthers gained his revenge at the first play-off hole when he rolled home a five metre birdie putt to seal the win.
“I was seriously shaking on that final putt,” said Carruthers, who closed with a two-under-par 69 in uncharacteristically breezy conditions.
“Two years ago, I came here and fell just short, finishing fifth so I’m so happy to come back and win this time.”
NSW Amateur Coby Caruthers became the first Australian to win the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final.
Carruthers was immediately drenched in water by his Australian teammates, who sprinted onto the 18th green to help him celebrate.
The winning putt was the culmination of a riveting final round.
Carruthers and Miya were inseparable over the back nine.
Carruthers birdied the 10th hole to edge to the front, but Miya drew level again at the 13th.
Carruthers struck again with a two at the short 14th, only for Miya to claw back once more at the 16th.
It looked like Carruthers had finally broken free when a nine-iron from 131 yards left him a tap-in birdie at the treacherous 17th, but Miya summoned one last birdie at the 18th to force the playoff, setting the scene for Carruthers’ match-winning moment on the same hole minutes later.
Director of the Faldo Series, Matthew Faldo was quick to mark the occasion.
“Congratulations to Coby on becoming the first Australian to win the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final,” he said.
“I know Sir Nick has been hugely impressed with the quality of golf we’ve been treated to.”
Director of Golf at Concord Golf Club, David Northey, has been a guiding figure for Carruthers over the past six years and was there to add his support.
“Our goal was to come here and win. I’m very proud of Coby for achieving that,” he said.
The victory adds to a growing list of amateur honours that includes the UAE Cup in 2024 and multiple NextGen Amateur Tour titles.
Carruthers had little time to rest on his laurels as he jetted of to South Australia to represent NSW at the Australian Interstate teams’ matches at Glenelg Golf Club.
The post Coby wins Faldo Series Grand Final in Vietnam first appeared on Inside Golf. Australia's Most-Read Golf Magazine as named by Australian Golfers - FREE.
Article Link: https://www.insidegolf.com.au/news/amateurs/coby-wins-faldo-series-grand-final-in-vietnam/