Grillo stands out amongst worlds best
14 Jan 2010 - 00:00:00
At the Copa de las Americas, which was held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Emiliano Grillo stood head and shoulders above a field containing some of the world's top amateurs to take the individual title on home soil.
His seven-under-par total of 279 was enough to edge out the likes of American Walker Cup stars Peter Uihlein and Nathan Smith, not to mention former WAGR Number One, Nick Taylor of Canada.
More importantly, Grillo's outstanding performance ensured that the men's team competition was won by the host nation. The young Argentinean moves up 29 places to enter the Top 100 at WAGRank 88.
Meanwhile, Florida freshman Tommy Mou led wire-to-wire in winning the New Year's Invitational, despite shooting a final-round 79 to find himself in a three-way play-off with North Carolina's Michael McGowan and Nuno Henriques of Central Florida.
It didn't take long for Mou to secure his title, however, as Henriques succumbed on the first-extra hole and McGowan did the same with a double-bogey on the next. Mou, who made a hole-in-one with a 4-iron in the first round, joins an impressive list of recent winners that includes the current WAGR number four, Peter Uihlein (2009), and PGA Tour players Jeff Overton (2005), Brandt Snedeker (2004) and JB Holmes (2003).
He enters the World Amateur Golf Ranking at number 2296 but looks set to enjoy a rapid ascent. At Indooroopilly Golf Club in Queensland, Australia, Cameron Smith matched Tour star Adam Scott by winning back-to-back Queensland Boys Amateur Championships.
The 16-year-old's four-round total of 17-under-par 277 gave him a six-shot margin of victory over his nearest rival, Taylor MacDonald. Compared to the previous year's one-shot win, it was a comfortable stroll to the title for the Wantima Country Club man, who will look to test his mettle in more mens' open amateur tournaments this year.
At WAGRank 2702, Smith is another new entry to the Ranking. Also defending his title in Week Two was England's Max Williams, who took the Qatar Amateur Open at the Doha Golf Club for the second year running.
An opening 80 had left Williams seven shots off the pace, but a second round of 71 and a final-round 68 brought the chance of a play-off with compatriot Alex Christie.
In the ensuing contest, Williams made no mistake. 'I am delighted to be able to defend my title in Doha,' Williams said at the awards ceremony. 'I thoroughly enjoyed the golf.
The course played well and the weather was perfect,' added the winner, who will be back in Doha later this month to take part in the Commercialbank Qatar Masters as an amateur. Italy's Matteo Manassero remains WAGR Number One.
