Luck rallies in Asia-Pacific amateur win

Curtis Luck has edged out fellow Australian Brett Coletta to win the Asia-Pacific Amateur golf title.

Curtis Luck has overcome a seven-stroke deficit to win the Asia-Pacific Amateur and earn a Masters invitation that the Australian didn't need.

Already in the Masters with his US Amateur victory, the 20-year-old Luck made a 15-foot birdie putt on the par-5 18th for a five-under 67 and a one-stroke victory over countryman Brett Coletta.

"I've had an amazing year and this has topped it off,'' Luck said.

"I came here to try my best and win, but I wasn't expecting to be standing here with the trophy at the end of the week.''

Luck finished at 12-under 276 at Jack Nicklaus Golf Club.

He earned a spot in the British Amateur, after securing positions in the Masters, US Open and British Open with his US Amateur victory in August at Oakland Hills.

Coletta, the third-round leader, had a chance to force a play-off on 18, but missed a 14-foot birdie try.

"It was a pretty nerve-racking finish,'' Luck said.

"I knew Brett could make birdie on 18, so fortunately for me he didn't.

"That bunker shot was probably one of the most nervous shots I've ever had to play, and the putt just topped it off.

"I left myself a bit of a swinging putt, but I had a really good feel for it.''

Luck ended up costing Coletta a spot beside him the Masters.

"Brett's a really close friend of mine and I understand the opportunity he has just missed out on,'' Luck said.

"I do feel a little guilty and sad, but I'm so competitive I couldn't give up the chance to win an event like this.''

Australia's Cameron Davis, a stroke ahead of Luck and Coletta with four holes to play, closed bogey-bogey-birdie-triple bogey for a 77 that left him fourth at seven under.

Last week in Mexico, Davis teamed with Luck to lead Australia to victory in the World Amateur Team Championship and topped the individual standings.

The tournament is run by the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation, the Masters and The R&A.


Share

2 min read

Published

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world