27 May 2022 | Amateur golf |
Aussies save best for last in Singapore
by Dane Heverin
Australia produced the best team score of the day in Friday’s final round of the Queen Sirikit Cup at Laguna National in Singapore to finish the tournament in a tie for seventh.
Japan took home the trophy, seven shots clear of New Zealand, but Australia’s six-under par effort shifted the team score to one-over par off the back of Kirsten Rudgeley’s five-under round of the day.
The West Australian jumped into the top ten at two-under for the tournament - seven shots back from individual winner Hashimoto Mizuki of Japan - courtesy of making six birdies in her 67.
“It was a bit of a shame having a bogey at the last, but that’s golf,” Rudgeley said.
“To be honest I didn’t hit my wedges well all week and I think it’s a bit of a wedge golf course. If you hit your wedges well you’ll have a chance for birdie every hole and today they seemed to work which was perfect.
“Top-ten was a motivator coming into today. I think I’m sitting 24th in the WAGR and the top ten finish might push me down a bit more now.”
Teammates Caitlin Peirce and Kelsey Bennett also impressed on the final day with one-under and even-par rounds respectively.
Their efforts ensured they both finished inside the top-20 - Peirce 19th and Bennett T20 - and it had been a strong focus of the team to keep pushing one another to do their best and try to improve their standing.
“It’s been good. We’ve enjoyed the whole week, apart from the weather,” Rudgeley said with a laugh.
“I’ve loved working as a team. It’s been good fun and I’ve learned that you need to drink a lot of water over here.”
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