David Micheluzzi has claimed a remarkable win at the 2023 Play Today NSW Open, coming from five shots back at the start of the day to beat Kade McBride by two shots, carding a final-round 66 at Rich River Golf Club.
The win caps off a remarkable season for Micheluzzi, who notched his third win of the golfing summer.
“Pretty, pretty awesome, just had such a good week,” Micheluzzi said.
“I hit it amazing. I didn’t putt my best, but I just gave myself enough chances, close chances, to get myself up there and I’m just stoked to be here.”
Micheluzzi started his run home from the ninth, making three birdies in a row before also making birdie on the 15th and 17th holes to tie for the lead with McBride, who was in the group behind, heading into the final hole.
“I missed the green on nine in an okay spot, and I chipped that in, and it was just like something lit up in me and I was just like ‘let’s go’,” Micheluzzi said.
“I birdied that, birdied 10, 11 — I just played solid.”
Micheluzzi also wrapped up the PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit with the win, taking an unassailable points lead over the nearest competitor in Brendan Jones with one event to play.
“Yeah, jeez it’s amazing,” he said of the Order of Merit win.
“God, to play (my) first major at The Open, it’s the best major in my opinion, and to play it at Hoylake as well, that’ll be so cool.
“I’m just so excited. Crowey (Harrison Crowe) is going, Baz (Haydn Barron) is going as well.
“So it’s going to be a fun week.”
Micheluzzi became emotional at the trophy presentation, revealing just how much the Order of Merit win meant to him.
“There’s a message I’ll put on social media tonight. It was a message to my manager, saying that I won’t be doing any Q schools this year, I’m going try and win the Order of Merit,” Micheluzzi said.
“That was in July last year, so it was a long time ago.
“I was probably dreaming at that point, I probably didn’t think it was actually possible, but three wins in the space of 14 events, I’m just stoked.”
As for how he would celebrate, Micheluzzi was set on one thing only.
“I wouldn’t mind some KFC, I wouldn’t mind a Coke,” he said.
“I don’t know what I’ll do, to be honest, but KFC’s definitely on my mind.“
Rich River Golf Club was a terrific host of the NSW Open for the first time in the event’s 92-year history.
Golf NSW chief operating officer Graeme Phillipson said “he couldn’t be happier” with how the tournament had progressed and added its success would hopefully see the Open return in the future.
“Look, we couldn’t be happier,” Phillipson said.
“The volunteers have been absolutely brilliant here at the club. The golf course itself has really held up despite having a very, very strong field.
“It’s been great quality, not only the golf but the golf course itself, and the club here couldn’t have been any more helpful.
“Based upon the way things have gone this week, we’d love to come back again whenever we get an opportunity.”