Emerging Australian golfer Kayun Mudadana says it stings for his final-round flourish to fall short of victory at the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship.
But the 20-year-old is also satisfied at proving his mettle with a Sunday surge to finish third at the championship in New Zealand.
Mudadana shot a four-under 67 featuring a number of near misses with the putter at Te Arai Links, 100km north of Auckland.
The New South Welshman finished two under, four shots behind Thailand’s Fifa Laopakdee, whose victory is rewarded with a berth at next year’s US Masters and British Open.
Laopakdee, who also took the title last year, won from New Zealand’s overnight leader Zack Swanwick (three under).
Mudadana was among only four golfers under par for a tournament played in wicked winds at the links layout lined by the Pacific Ocean.
“I like links courses and my game set ups well for it,” Mudadana said.
“So I knew I would be a good chance this week, even though I probably wasn’t one of the favourites going in.
“It does sting … but I played some good golf. I had a few putts miss on back nine, just slightly.”
Australia’s Harry Takis, the top-ranked amateur in the field, finished tied for sixth at one over after a rollercoaster last round.
Takis carded an eagle and two birdies but also five bogeys in his one-over 72.
Fellow Australian Jonty Lunson (two over) took eighth place, with compatriots Harrison Gomez (seven over) tied for 16th, Wesley Hinton (12 over) tied for 35th and Sam Cascio (21 over) tied for 48th.
They all were left in a trail behind Thai champion Laopakdee in a tournament that swung widly on the 11th hole.
Kiwi Swanwick, playing in the same group as Laopakdee, teed off with a two-shot lead but finished the hole two strokes behind.
The four-shot swing came as Swanwick’s approach found a bunker and his trap shot dribbled off the green. He then flubbed a chip and couldn’t get his follow-up close en route to a triple-bogey seven.
“It wasn’t that bad of a (bunker) shot but ended up in not a good situation,” Swanwick said.
“It’s a little disappointing, but it’s tough to be sad walking away from the week.”
In contrast, Laopakdee fired his approach inside three metres and calmly made the birdie putt for a decisive four-shot swing.
This article was made possible with support from the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship.
