Canterbury star Cooper Moore has won his maiden Men’s NZ Amateur Championship title in a thrilling final in Auckland on November 3rd which went all the way to the 36th hole! This marks the second successive year a Canterbury teenager has won the event following Seb May'striumph in 2023.
The following news story is courtesy of Golf New Zealand:
Auckland’s Titirangi Golf Club witnessed an unforgettable display of resilience as Eunseo Choi and Cooper Moore emerged as champions of the New Zealand Amateur Championships. Both players demonstrated incredible skill and determination throughout the intense finals, securing their places in New Zealand’s golfing history.
Choi Completes Historic Double
18-year-old Eunseo Choi made history by capturing the New Zealand Women’s Amateur title, adding it to her New Zealand Women’s Strokeplay Championship win from earlier this year. This remarkable accomplishment solidifies her place as New Zealand's leading female amateur golfer.
Choi qualified second in stroke play with rounds of 71 and 75, trailing Yoonae Jong, who held the top qualifying spot after a memorable hole-in-one on the 4th hole during her second round. Both players advanced to the final, where Choi took an early lead and never looked back. She carried a 2-up lead into the afternoon and continued to apply pressure, ultimately sealing her victory with a birdie on the 31st hole to win by a 6/5 margin.
Reflecting on her performance, Choi expressed her excitement, saying, “I won both the NZ Strokeplay and NZ Amateur this year, so I feel really great! Apparently, Lydia [Ko] didn’t get the two in one year, so I’m hoping I’m the only one in NZ history.” Choi attributed her success to her ability to “read the flow of the game” and remain composed, adding that her competitive mindset kept her fighting throughout the tournament. She also praised Titirangi Golf Club for its pristine conditions and extended her gratitude to the greens staff for their work.
Moore’s Remarkable Comeback
The men’s final was a thrilling battle of two young talents, with 16-year-old Cooper Moore staging an incredible comeback to defeat 17-year-old Robby Turnbull on the final hole. The match remained tightly contested in the morning, with neither player able to secure more than a one-hole lead. Turnbull entered the afternoon with a 1-up lead, and by the 11th hole, he had built a seemingly comfortable 3-up advantage after Moore’s three-putt.
However, Moore’s resilience shone through. Determined not to give up, he responded with birdies on the 30th and 31st holes, narrowing the gap to just 1-down. Riding this momentum, Moore won the 33rd and 34th holes, pulling ahead to a 1-up lead in a stunning turnaround. Turnbull fought back on the 35th hole, making a birdie to square the match, setting up a dramatic finish on the 36th.
On the final hole, Turnbull’s drive landed in the greenside bunker, while Moore executed a perfect approach shot, landing his ball three feet from the pin for what would be the winning shot. Moore described the scene: “I had 92 metres in and knew it was going to spin back... I realised it was close when everyone started clapping.”
After the victory, Moore admitted to being a bit surprised by his comeback: “I’m kind of shocked a little bit. Being three down with seven to go, I didn’t really expect it, but I just kept on pushing to see what would happen, and yeah, it feels great.” He drew on past experiences for motivation, recalling similar situations where he managed to fight his way back into contention.
Moore’s hunger for victory drove him throughout the tournament, where he had also won previous matches on the 19th and 18th holes. This victory marked his first major win since the New Zealand Age Group Championships in 2022, a moment he’d been eagerly awaiting after a recent playoff loss at the Canterbury Matchplay.
Prestigious Return to Titirangi
The New Zealand Amateur Championship returned to Titirangi Golf Club for the first time since 2015, bringing back a premier event to one of the country’s finest courses. Known for its Dr. Alister MacKenzie design, Titirangi offered a challenging yet inspiring backdrop for New Zealand’s top amateur golfers.
Looking Ahead
With Eunseo Choi and Cooper Moore emerging as champions, the future of New Zealand golf looks bright. Both players have proven they can handle high-stakes match play, and as Moore suggested, his rivalry with Turnbull may just be beginning—promising fans more thrilling battles in the years to come.
To watch some of the highlights of Cooper's final round and hear his post-round interview click - HERE.
