Jasper Stubbs, a 21-year-old from Victoria, Australia, conquered the Asia Pacific Newbie Championship in his personal yard at Royal Melbourne.
He defeated Wenyi Ding and Sampson Zheng of China in a two-hole playoff after firing a 2-under 69.
Solely 4 gamers carded rounds beneath 70 on Sunday due to the windy circumstances, making Stubbs’ electrifying spherical that rather more spectacular.
The Aussie’s victory within the Sandbelt area earns him a spot on the 2024 Masters Event at Augusta Nationwide. He’ll head to the 152nd Open Championship at Royal Troon too. Plus, he’ll be exempt from qualifying for the Newbie Championship at Ballyliffin in County Donegal, Eire.
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It’s a life-changing victory for Stubbs, the 476th-ranked participant within the Newbie World Golf Rankings. His victory at Royal Melbourne marked the third-highest-ranked beginner to win the Asia Pacific Newbie Championship.
In 2010, Hideki Matsuyama, at 544th on the earth, turned the highest-ranked beginner to win the Asia Pacific Newbie Championship. He did so in his native Japan by 5 strokes. That victory earned him a visit to Augusta Nationwide, the place he turned the primary Japanese participant to compete within the Masters. He additionally made the reduce that yr—the one beginner to take action—and earned the excellence of being the low beginner.
In fact, a decade later, Matsuyama gained the Inexperienced Jacket.
Maybe the Inexperienced Jacket is in Stubbs’ future too.
However, that chance wouldn’t have come his approach if he didn’t flip issues round after the primary few holes on Sunday at Royal Melbourne.
Stubbs was 2-over by way of six holes, struggling by way of the howling wind.
However he regained his composure, made 4 straight birdies, and didn’t report a single bogey the remainder of the way in which. He ended up hitting 15 greens in regulation, a necessity to conquering Royal Melbourne, which, humorous sufficient, many have in comparison with Augusta Nationwide.
Then, within the playoff, Stubbs made a miraculous birdie on the primary additional gap. However so too did Ding, the second-highest ranked participant within the discipline on the Asia Pacific Newbie Championship this week.
On the subsequent gap, Stubbs discovered the inexperienced but once more, however Ding dropped his method into the greenside bunker.
Ding, who will play at Arizona State beginning subsequent spring, turned the primary man from China to win a USGA occasion as he gained the 2022 U.S. Junior Newbie at Bandon Dunes.
However he couldn’t get the job executed this time at Royal Melbourne, as he did not stand up and down from the sand.
As a substitute, Stubbs emerged victorious after two playoff holes, because of a good looking lag-putt that secured the title.
Jack Milko is a golf employees author for SB Nation’s Enjoying Via. You’ll be able to observe him on Twitter @jack_milko for extra golf protection. Make sure to take a look at @_PlayingThrough too.