Issued 10th January, 2016

Thomson takes runner-up spot in Australia

England’s Jonathan Thomson teed up a great start to 2016 when he was runner-up in the Australian Master of the Amateurs Championship at Royal Melbourne.

The 19-year-old from Lindrick in Yorkshire (image © Leaderboard Photography) held the lead briefly after a blistering start of three consecutive birdies in the final round.

But he dropped behind after bogeys on six and seven and although he gave himself every chance with birdies on 15 and 16 he couldn’t catch the eventual winner, American Aaron Wise.

Thomson finished the 72-hole championship on three-under par, two behind Wise, who is the world number eight amateur, and two shots ahead of third place.

“It's been a great first week here in Australia and I have played some great golf,” said Thomson. “The course is very special, completely different to any other course I have ever played and probably will ever play.

“I'm very pleased with my start to 2016. I have worked very hard over the winter months on my game fitness and it's nice to see it's starting to pay off.”

Thomson had been in touch throughout the championship, opening with three-under 69, holding on tight through the strong winds of the second round with 76, and climbing the leaderboard into second place with 68 in the third round. He signed off with level par 72.

Thomson, who was fourth in last year’s European amateur, is in an England squad which is touring Australia. Ashton Turner (Kenwick Park) finished 17th on 294 while Adam Chapman (Windermere) scored 305.

The trio will now be joined by Bradley Moore (Kedleston Park) who was unable to play at Royal Melbourne because of prior commitments. Their next event is the Australian Amateur which starts on Tuesday.

“Hopefully I can take my form into that event,” said Thomson.

Photo by Leaderboard Photography