BRANXTON bomber Corey Lamb is ready to turn professional -it is just a matter of timing
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Lamb, 20, last week added the prestigious Concord Cup to his long list of amateur achievements.
The win also secured the former NSW Junior a spot in the NSW Open to be held at the same course from March 17-20.
It will be Lamb's third straight year in his state open, but whether he remains an amateur will depend on Q School.
"I am definitely ready to turn pro," Lamb said. "My game feels like it is in good shape. Mentally I have matured. I don't let anything get to me any more. I am able to hang in there and avoid having a a really bad score. Every shot doesn't mean much. It is more about the next shot.
"I'm waiting on confirmation about Q School and if it going to go ahead this year. If they cancel Q School there is no point in turning pro. I won't have any status and, outside of the NSW Open, I won't get a start in even a pro-am."
Due to the impacts of COVID-19, the Australasian PGA is likely to roll over category status to the 2022 season. A modified Q-School is scheduled to go ahead in April. The winner will obtain a full card, but only a small number of others will get status to play lower tier state events.
Fellow young guns Jed Morgan, Jordie Garner and Louis Dobbellar have turned professional in the past few months.
"I have played with all those boys and I want to do it as well," Lamb said. "I'm only 20, they are a little bit older than me. It is a waiting game I guess."
Lamb will contest the 36-hole North Coast Open at Coffs Harbour, starting Tuesday, followed by the Tweed Coast Open at Coolangatta.
"Initially, I entered these events to try and get into the NSW Open. They are all qualifiers. I achieved that by winning the Concord Cup.
"I am getting ready to go pro. Any pro events will be a good experience and help me learn what to do."
Lamb, who played A-Grade pennants for Concord earlier in his career, carded rounds of 67,71,69 to be at six under and win by two strokes from Bart Carroll.
"They had the pins placed in the hardest positions I have ever seen," lamb said. "You had to hit really good putts or chip it close. Thankfully, my game was solid. It was an -all round good week."
** Newcastle made it three straight wins to all but seal a place in the final, but the competition for second place is fierce.
The defending champions made the most of home-ground advantage on Sunday to beat Toronto 7-1. Luke Ferrier was the stand out beating Brett Porter, who was a late inclusion, nine and eight.
Belmont moved into second spot on two wins with a 5.5-2.5 triumph over Waratah. In the other match, Merewether accounted for Charlestown 5-3. Two rounds remain.
** Charlestown gun Blake Windred bounced back to form on the European Challenge Tour. After missing the cut in the opening event, Windred carded rounds of 72,64,70,71 to finish tied for 15th, seven shots behind winner JC Ritchie.
The second tier tour moves to Durban on Thursday for the third of seven Challenge Tour events in Africa.
** Andrew Doft and Jake Higginbottom are back in action on the Asian Tour this week, teeing up in the $550,000 Royal's Cup in Thailand.
** Meanwhile on the US PGA Tour, Chilean Joaquinn Niemann has survived a few final round nervous moments to become the first wire-to-wire winner of the event at Riviera Country Club in 53 years.
The 23-year-old carded a final round of even-par 71 to finish 19-under 265, two shots clear of world No.2 Collin Morikawa (65) and Cameron Young (70).
"It's got the best field, the best players are here and that proves myself that I can be competing with the top guys... I think it's going to give me a lot of confidence for what is coming next."
Australian Adam Scott had two eagles in a 5-under 66 to share fourth with Viktor Hovland (70) at 14-under par.
Scott was buoyed by another fine showing and the 41-year-old said he was not too far off winning again.
"I've got a couple things I'd like to work on before I peg it up next time, but I'm pegging it up with a bit more confidence the next time I play...," he said after a pay day of $750,000.
Matt Jones (68) and Marc Leishman (73) shared 15th at eight under.
IN THE NEWS:
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark: newcastleherald.com.au
- Download our app
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Google News