Bailey Smith's rise up the amateur golfing ranks continues unabated after his excellent efforts at the New Zealand Amateur Championship that finished yesterday at the Nelson Golf Club.
The 17-year-old from the Mount Maunganui club pushed Aucklander Tae Koh all the way in Saturday's gripping semifinal before succumbing 2/1. Koh, 19, was attempting to become the first Kiwi golfer to win both the New Zealand and Australian titles in the same year, but lost in a play-off in the final to Joshua Munn last evening.
Earlier Smith disposed of Lachie McDonald 2/1 and Alex Neely 2/1 and was happy with how he played against Koh.
"It was good to test myself against one of the better amateurs in New Zealand and it was a really tough game," Smith said. "He played really well and I think he has a huge future. I went out thinking I had nothing to lose and just gave it everything.
"I knew he had to make lots of birdies so I played pretty aggressive and played the best I have all week against him. I played pretty solid in the second round of the qualifying but then once I got into the matchplay I did just enough.