Zach Galliford beat Wales teammate Owen Edwards to claim the Welsh Amateur at Southerndown, the biggest title of his career so far, as perfect preparation for the Home Internationals.
The University of Texas student – from Borth and Ynyslas Golf Club – claimed the 17th and 18th holes in the second round with some positive play after Llanwern’s Edwards had bounced back to wipe out a five shot deficit to put the pair level on the 17th tee.
Galliford’s birdie on that hole and perfect drive up 18 settled the topsy turvy contest of high quality golf, as the two finalists traded birdies in the 36 hole final.
“This is by far the biggest win of my career, before this the only Welsh title I had won was the under thirteens championship,” he said.
“It is all about a few shots in the big tournaments, but I knew I was playing well coming into this week because I had made a lot of birdies in the Tucker Trophy, I just had to cut out the mistakes.
“I was striking the ball well this week and concentrated on controlling the bits I could control.
“I got off to a really good start, I was four under for the front nine and three up, then I got up to five up so just kept the momentum going and made sure I hit fairways and greens and had my best shot of the day into the 16th so I was four up at the end of the first 18,” said Galliford.
“I knew Owen was going to fight back over the second 18, he is such a good player, so I knew I would have my hands full.
“He played well and I was only one up, then it was really close for most of the rest. I had a good up and down on 12, but missed putts on the 13 and 16 to go back all square.
“I decided to be positive and to play to win and was able to sink a really good putt for birdie on 17, to be one up going down the 18th, hit a superb drive down the middle on 18 to put all the pressure on Owen and he sadly put his drive out of bounds.
“When I got to five up I was just thinking about doing the same thing, so I did not do anything differently but Owen was making a lot of birdies in the second round – I think he was four under for the second round.
“Maybe the nerves changed a little bit, the short game here and there, so it was good to make the putt on 17 – especially as he almost made his as well.
“I’ve known Owen for a few years and he has been playing well all season so I knew when I was four and five up that it would not be easy, he would come back in the second round.”
Galliford is heading into his final year studying finance in Arlington, Texas, next year, heading back to America shortly after the home internationals.
He had reached the final by beating Royal Porthcawl’s Jonathan Bale, while Edwards beat Southerndown’s Kyle Harman at the semi-final stage.
Neath’s Richard Hooper, Southerndown’s Llewellyn Matthews, Clyne’s Jordan Golley and Mold’s Jacob Davies were the losing quarter-finalists.
Golf Union of Wales championships manager David Wilson said, “It was a high quality final and congratulations to Zach for coming out on top.
“Also congratulations to Southerndown for setting up the course as an excellent challenge for the players. It is a top quality course and that brought the best out of the top players in Wales.”