AAC Winner Focuses on Major Positives

Troon, Scotland: He may not have qualified for the final two rounds at Royal Troon, but Jasper Stubbs signed off from his Open Championship debut in suitably fitting style.

As his seven-foot putt on the home green disappeared below ground for a birdie-three, a smile of satisfaction broke out across the face of the Australian.

More than simply enabling him to savour an accomplished round of 72 it gave belief to the winner of the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (AAC) that he belongs in such exalted company.

“It was an awesome day. The conditions were testing, but I felt like I handled it pretty well. It’s a nice end to the week,” said Stubbs, whose opening-round 80 left him too much to do to make the cut.

Nonetheless, with a 36-hole total of 10-over 152, Stubbs can reflect on a memorable week in which he ended tied for 114th from a 158-strong starting line-up featuring the world’s best players.

He will be able to look back with pride on the fact that he finished ahead of a host of Major champions including compatriot Cameron Smith, Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy and Americans Wyndham Clark, Stewart Cink, Todd Hamilton, Justin Leonard and Tiger Woods.

Not only will that look good on his CV, but it will give him the confidence to look ahead with optimism to a career as a professional when the time is right.

Was there a tinge of regret that his slow start on Thursday when he ran up a double-bogey six on the first half after driving out of bounds cost him the chance to play all four rounds?

He said: “I mean, there’s a little bit … but at the same time, I’ve just played in a Major championship for the second time in my career. I’m over the moon that I got to share it with my family and friends.

“I feel like I put myself in a good position after nine holes to still make the cut despite my round yesterday. I’m only taking good, positive things away from this week, and I hope I’ve showed the golf that I can play.”