Raegan Denton impresses with 4th place Augusta National finish
Raegan Denton hits her tee shot at the 12th today – image Augusta National
18 year old South Australian Raegan Denton has finished in a share of 4th at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur Championship, her final round of 3 under 69 leaving her six shots from the runaway winner, Maria Jose Marin of Colombia, but just two shots out of second place.
Today’s final round was played over the famed Augusta National layout after the opening two rounds of the increasingly prestigious event were played at the nearby Champions Retreat, those making the 36-hole cut switching to Augusta National.
Denton, who earlier this year won the Women’s Australian Masters of the Amateurs, opened the proceedings on Wednesday with a round of 67, but after a second round of 72, she had slipped to a share of 6th.
Today, however, in what must have been a surreal experience on a layout to be used in just a few days for the first major of the year, Denton birdied five holes on her way to the turn and although bogeying the 10th and 11th, she steadied the ship for an impressive final round.
“I think there’s so many different emotions,” said Denton. “Just excitement, happiness just to be here, for one. Definitely some nerves for sure playing here today, and just overall really proud of myself. Today I could have definitely gone lower, but still, to shoot 3-under at Augusta, not a lot of people can say that, so I’m just really proud of that.
“It’s just so surreal. Even though I was told how big the crowds were, I don’t think I quite was able to picture it or expect it. I’ve played in a couple pro tournaments at home and the crowd didn’t even get close to this, so I was just shaking so much. But I was just so honoured to be able to get to have the experience.”
Denton will join the golf team at Louisiana State University later this year but she has already displayed the sort of game and competitive capabilities to make a career in golf a success.
