Will Another Amateur Win the NSW Open

In 2012 the Bing Lee Fujitsu Women’s NSW Open made headlines around the world when 14-year-old Lydia Ko won her first professional title.

Three years on that 14-year-old is now the World No.1 female professional golfer, the youngest ever World No.1 male, or female.   Ko recalled prior to her win in the ISPS Handa New Zealand’s Women’s Open last week that she has a strong connection with the NSW Open.

The Kiwi spoke graciously about how “that win” gave her the confidence and belief she could make it as a professional golfer and she always remembers that win.

This week there are 29 amateurs that will be looking to etch their name alongside Ko on the winners trophy, including Shelly Shin, Belinda Ji and Rebecca Kay.

Shin, is the most credentialed of the amateurs, the Carlingford golfer, who plays at Concord is the current Australian Amateur Champion and was a member of the winning Australian team which took out the World Amateur Team Championship last September.

The 16-year-old is missing defending her Riverdale Cup title to play in her own state Open, which shows how important this opportunity is, playing in her State Open and once again testing her ability against the professionals.

Another amateur to make headlines recently during the 2015 ALPG Tour is Gold Coast golfer, Rebecca Kay.  The 16-year-old qualified for the RACV Ladies Masters in the junior Ladies masters held on the Monday of tournament week.  She made it through and then performed admirably in the tournament itself, in fact she was in contention heading into the final round.  Kay, eventually finished in a tie for sixth behind Su Oh. 

Belinda Ji, who also plays at Concord Golf Club with Shin is also in the field.  What is remarkable about Ji is her age, she is just 12-year-old.  The two-marker has already played pennants for her club and beaten established amateurs along the way.  The future is bright for Ji and this week will certainly a fantastic learning experience for her. 

It will not be surprising to see the likes of Shin and Kay up vying for the title come Sunday at Oatlands Golf Club.