Christchurch golfer Cooper Moore competing at the New Zealand Open earlier this year. Photo: Photosport
Christchurch golfer Cooper Moore's burgeoning career has reached another height as he claimed the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation Junior Championship Boys title in Hong Kong.
In a remarkable come-from-behind victory, Moore battled the elements and a strong field to emerge the champion by two strokes two ahead of Vietnam's Nguyen Tuan Anh and three in front of Thai Parin Sarasmut, after birdies on the 53rd and 54th holes of the tournament.
Half an hour of a rain delay on the final day was enough for puddles to form on the greens and fairways, with Moore showing fortitude to remain focused in the testing conditions.
The 16-year-old, who had relinquished the tournament lead on the 18th green on day two with a double-bogey six after an errant drive went out of bounds, displayed mental as well as physical strength in round three after pushing two early birdie putts wide and scoring a triple-bogey on the fourth hole.
Making the turn five shots off the lead, Moore said he reminded himself that anything can happen in golf.
"I felt I still had a chance and needed to be patient," he said.
His back nine run was faultless, remaining bogey-free with four birdies, including birdies on 17 and 18 that would secure him the title in emphatic fashion as the rain descended on the Hong Kong Golf Club's Old Course.
Speaking after his round, Moore said he tried to recall his previous back nine form at the tournament and avoid making high numbers.
"I made bogey on 9 and was five back, there was quite a bit there [to make up] but I've played some of my best golf all week on the back nine, found myself in contention on the 18th tee and just went with it.
"Didn't really change too much with my game plan just middle of the green most of the time, just trying to avoid trouble hoping that the weather may come in and the other guys may struggle a bit."
He said a slight internal battle was required after a shaky start to the final round.
"I didn't get off to the best start, missed a few short putts on one and two then made triple on four and I was a bit like 'Ah need to sort of wake up a bit' but then found myself… guess it came down to that back nine."
On the final hole of the tournament, Moore had about 130m to the flag with his second shot.
He took his pitching wedge, threw a dart to four feet and rolled in the birdie putt to finish at 9-under for the tournament and win by two strokes.
"It was dead at the pin; I was a bit blocked out by the trees on the left. I hit a little drawing pitching wedge and yeah, it looked perfect the whole way."
Congratulations not only Cooper Moore on his title-winning effort, but fellow Golf New Zealand Academy member Emma Zheng on her commendable performance in placing 16th at the APGC Junior Championships in a highly competitive field and difficult conditions.
The experience of teeing it up at an internationally acclaimed course against some of the best junior golfers in the region is invaluable, it will stand her in great stead as she continues her rise as a talented athlete and Zheng can be proud of her efforts representing New Zealand in Hong Kong to help the team take 9th place in the Mixed Teams division.
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