12 Dec 2019 | Amateur golf |
Porter & Croker celebrate first GNJM wins
by Golf Australia
Winning the Greg Norman Junior Masters will be extra sweet for victors Cassie Porter and Qunniton Croker, both finally raising the trophies after many prior close calls.
Porter, whose win marks her fifth victory this year, never relinquished her lead to claim the girls’ championship at Palmer Colonial by five strokes with rounds of 69-76-70-73.
The Sunshine Coast resident battled off a strong contingent, including reigning Australian Girls’ Amateur champion, Hye Park, who finished five-over-par in outright second.
“It’s such an honour to win this one after six years trying and coming so close, it’s nice to finally get the win,” said Porter, who finished a tantalising second last year.
“Staying tough mentally (was big for me). There are some big players in the field – Park – she’s an awesome player. Teeing it up against those girls was tough.”
“It’s my last year being 17, but I’m really happy to finally come away with the win.”
Croker, who hails from Toowoomba Golf Club, narrowly edged out defending champion Jordan Rooke by one shot to win his first ranking event.
The 17-year-old managed to overcome nerves from holding the overnight lead, producing a final round 75 for a total of 283.
“I’ve finished up there (in tournaments) but never gotten to win before so it feels good,” said Croker.
“My putting was on fire the last couple of days.”
In the interstate teams event, Porter teamed up with Blaike Perkins to take home the title, while the Darling Downs secured their first win in the District teams event.
FINAL RESULTS