2015 champion Shae Wools-Cobb (Golf WA photo)
MADURAH, Australia — A “shocked” Shae Wools-Cobb has outlasted the field to win the Mandurah Amateur by a single shot at Mandurah Country Club in Western Australia.
After sharing the lead with WA’s Min Woo Lee after 18 holes, Wools-Cobb entered this morning’s third round seven shots behind the leading Lee.
But an eight shot swing saw Wools-Cobb back on top of the leaderboard to start the afternoon round, this time in his own right.
Wools-Cobb never relinquished his lead over the final 18 holes, despite starting, and finishing the final round with a single stroke advantage.
Finishing second was WA’s Curtis Luck, who went seven under over the final day, and Troy Moses of NSW who fell just short despite being within a couple shots throughout the afternoon.
WA’s Fred and Min Woo Lee shared more than just a last name, finishing fourth on 5-under par.
Fred Lee shot the best score of the final round with a 5-under 66, while Min Woo Lee faded on the final day with closing rounds of 75 and 72.
It’s the first National Rankings win for Wools-Cobb, extending a winning run for Golf Queensland after Blake Proverbs emerged victorious on the eve of the Mandurah Amateur at the Thailand Amateur Open.
“When I heard Blake won I was rapt as we’re close mates, it really made me want to get the win here to keep it going.
It’s been a good week for us with (Queensland’s) Gennai Goodwin finishing 2nd in Thailand as well.”
The Queenslander’s win was set up by an outstanding opening round of 67 in blustery conditions. Wools-Cobb drew a parallel to his opening round 69 at the 2015 Australian Amateur.
“Both of those rounds had really rough conditions, so I seem to do well when it’s windy.
I don’t hit a very high ball, so the wind doesn’t affect me as much. But I also putted really well this week – I don’t think I missed anything inside 5 feet.”
To Shae, his afternoon was made easier by avoiding the lead group despite leading, thanks to the final round being seeded on the scores after 36 holes.
With his partners out of contention, and the roaming leaderboard mostly out of the way, Shae was able to concentrate on his game instead of being caught up in the battle for first.
Wools-Cobb did such a good job of keeping his eyes down, he didn’t realise he was still leading until the until the last two holes.
“It was a bit of a grind out there.
I didn’t really know what the other guys were doing, because I never looked at the scoreboard until the 17th hole– so it was good for me as I wasn’t trying to push for birdies.
I was avoiding (the leaderboard), really. I just wanted to play my best and see what happens instead of getting worried about the result.”
With this win, an excited Wools-Cobb will return to WA in November with an exemption to the 2015 Nexus Risk Services WA Open at Royal Fremantle.
“Playing the WA Open would be awesome! I’ve played the Queensland open twice, and had a good finish in the first year. I’d be keen to come back here and play against a professional field.”
Wools-Cobb will start his celebrations by responding to the messages piling up on his phone, as well as post to on his facebook page which has growing base that has just recently over 600 fans.
“A friend of ours said I should make a page so family and friends would know how I was going in all of my events – I will be good to post a win on there tonight!”