Moore takes NZ amateur crown in thrilling final
Year 11 student Cooper Moore won the Men’s NZ Amateur Championship title in Auckland this month.
Golf NZ writes that 16-year-old Cooper Moore staged an incredible comeback to defeat 17-year-old Robby Turnbull on the final hole.
Neither player was able to secure more than a one-hole lead in the morning, and Turnbull went into the afternoon with a 1-up lead, which he extended to a 3-up lead by the 11th hole.
Moore, however, responded with birdies on the 30th and 31st holes to narrow the gap, and then won the 33rd and 34th holes to go ahead 1-up.
Turnbull made a birdie on the 35th hole to square the match, setting up a decider on the final hole.
Moore executed a perfect approach shot, which set him up for the win.
Moore told Golf NZ he was a bit surprised by his comeback:
“I’m kind of shocked a little bit. Being three down with seven to go, I didn’t really expect it, but I just kept on pushing to see what would happen, and yeah, it feels great.”
This victory marked his first major win since the New Zealand Age Group Championships in 2022.
