By David Tease

Rising star Corey Lamb scored an emphatic victory in the National and World Amateur Golf Ranking Concord Cup today.

The 20-year-old from The Vintage Golf Club led from the outset and cruised to a two-shot win with a final-round two-under 69, to finish at six-under-par 207 for the 54 hole tournament.

Bart Carroll gave Lamb a scare early on the final day; at one stage the Wagga tyro drew level with the leader, and for a few holes at the turn, the pair went birdie for birdie.

A clutch birdie four on the par-five 11th was what Lamb needed to re-establish a slim lead, and when he birdied the par-five 15th, the margin was again back out to two.

From there, the Branxton gun was going to be hard to catch, and despite bogeying the last, victory was safely in his keeping.

“It got a bit tighter than I wanted,” Lamb grinned. “But I felt I was always in control.”

Concord was the first of three tournaments in a row, including this week’s North Coast and Tweed Regional Opens, that Lamb had purposely entered pursuing a start in next month’s Golf Challenge NSW Open.

“I was deliberately playing these three events in a row to earn a start in the NSW Open. So grabbing it in the first event feels really good, and it takes a lot of pressure away.”

Lamb added today’s win had all but book-ended his amateur career, and admitted with his NSW Open spot secured, he was seriously considering a tilt at the professional ranks sooner rather than later.

“I’ve got to have a talk to a few folk to see what’s on the horizon, and then I’ll make my decision,” he grinned.

Gallant Bannan Wins By three

Kay Bannan has led from start to finish to claim the women’s Concord Cup by three shots today.

The former Victorian, now based in Brisbane, finished at two under par 220 and was the only player to finish under par in the three-round event.

Local hope Belinda Ji of Concord finished in second place at one over, with The Australian Golf Club’s Brielle Mapanao in third another shot back at one-over.

“It’s my biggest win,” Bannon grinned.” It hasn’t sunk in yet.”

The 19-year-old admitted the final round was a nervous affair, especially as her playing partners, Belinda and Brielle, applied the pressure.

“Belinda and Brielle played really well; it was very stressful. They were catching up, and I was just trying to hold on.

“It’s pretty cool to know that I can be in a final group and hold onto a lead. It’s a good confidence booster.”

The 19-year-old said the win stood her in good stead with some significant events on the horizon; the Riversdale Cup, followed by the Australian Amateur Championship.

“I’m trying to play in as many events as I can, but I’ve got to budget, of course.

“I’m having a bit of a gap year this year, and I’d like to be a touring professional one day.

“Playing in all of these events will let me see where I am at the end of the year, definitely.”