Master of the Amateurs gets underway in Melbourne

January 11th, 2022 / Anthony Powter

The past couple of years has thrown a lot of curveballs at competitive sport and challenges continue to press tournament organisers given the ongoing COVID-19 issues.

Despite the challenges, the 2022 Australian Master of the Amateurs Championships got underway this morning, with players teeing off in the first round at The Victoria Golf Club in Melbourne.

Jeneath Wong Jeneath Wong (Credit: Anthony Powter)

“We might not have the international field that we have had in the past, but the tournament is going ahead and presents a unique opportunity for Australian players to play and gain valuable WAGR points,” said Tournament Founder Peter Mann.

“In 2023 hopefully we will be all open and return to a truely international championship, so this year’s tournament opens up a real opportunity for our own amateurs and we see it as our role to ensure competitive environments continue during this period of isolation not only for the mental health of our players, but ensuring our tournament keeps its place as the best in the country.”

Despite fewer international players, the field represents many of the best local amateurs including Harry Bolton, Jye Pickin, Harrison Crowe, Andre Lautee, Belinda Ji, Jeneath Wong (pictured) and Haruhi Nakatani, to name just a few.

With the Men’s Australian Master of the Amateurs going into its 25th year, and the Women’s Australian Master of the Amateurs notching up its 5th year, the Australian Master of the Amateurs 72-hole Championships are considered by many of the world’s leading amateur golfers to be one of the must-play events on the calendar.

Notable past players include Jason Day, who won the title in 2006, Rickie Fowler, Patrick Rodgers, Andy Sullivan, Morgan Hoffman, Tommy Fleetwood, Bryson DeChambeau and Aaron Wise.

Last year Lukas Michel won the Men’s Australian Master of the Amateurs Championship after posting a four round total of 6-under-par. Michel has returned to defend his title.

While Lion Higo won the Women’s Australian Master of the Amateurs Championship with a total score of 2-under par and is currently based in the USA attending Pepperdine University.