Connor Syme and Min-ji Park win Australian Amateur Championships

A Scotsman and a Korean have won the prestigious Australian Amateur Championships played at Metropolitan Golf Club.

Scotland’s Connor Syme after winning the 2016 Men’s Australian Amateur Championship trophy. Image courtesy of Golf Australia.

Scotland’s Connor Syme won the men’s trophy of the Australian Amateur Championships with a 3&2 victory over New South Welshman Travis Smyth in the 36-hole match play final. Korea’s Min-ji Park beat fellow Korean Ayean Cho 6&5 in the Women’s Australian Amateur 36-hole final played at Metropolitan Golf club in Melbourne.

See Golf Australia’s video wrap-up below.

From the official Golf Australia press release:

Syme, 20, will return later this year to play the Emirates Australian Open at Royal Sydney after winning an epic two-round final 3&2 over New South Welshman Travis Smyth at Metropolitan Golf Club.

Park, 18, similarly, won the right to play next month’s ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open at The Grange in Adelaide, but said later that she would need her mum’s permission to make another overseas trip.

Syme was outstanding in making just two bogeys through 34 holes of a back-and-forth tussle with Smyth. The Scotsman was three under through his morning round and was again three under through 16 when Smyth’s birdie try ran by, ending the match to rapturous applause from an appreciative gallery.

“I can’t wait to get back here and play the Open. It’s my first time playing in Australia and I think it’s great, clearly,” Syme beamed.

Park was equally impressive. The shy Korean ran in 10 birdies across the 31 holes it took her to better fellow Korean Ayean Cho 6&5 in a high-quality women’s final.

“I’m really looking forward to participating (in the Women’s Australian Open) … but I’ll have to ask Mum first,” she said.

“But I hope to be back, definitely.”

Korea’s Min-ji Park – 2016 Women’s Australian Amateur Championship trophy. Image courtesy of Golf Australia.

The Australian Amateur Championship have been played since 1894 and the prestigious trophy and medallist honours (low score in stroke play) is adorned with famous names in Australian golf such as Jim Ferrier, Brett Rumford, Matt Goggin, Michael Clayton, Cameron Smith and Jason Day.

Video wrap-up below: