Maverick Antcliff – file photo courtesy of Australian Golf Media
30-year-old Queenslander Maverick Antcliff has produced a remarkable final 54 holes at the Asian Tour’s International Series Oman to storm into a share of 4th place and in the process has earned a cheque for US$91,000.
After beginning the event on Thursday with an opening round of 74, Antcliff was all out to make the cut in the US$2 million dollar event, but a second round of 68 accomplished that task followed by weekend rounds of 68 and 65 to share 4th place with Mito Pereira and although six shots behind the runaway winner, Carlos Ortiz the performance will be a great boost for the man from Beaudesert.
Antcliff, who earned Asian Tour status at the Qualifying school earlier this year, is a three-time winner on the China Golf Tour and leader of that tour’s Order of Merit earlier in his career, that performance gaining access to the European Tour in 2020 but the former Augusta State and Hills Golf Academy attendee has struggled in recent times and this might just be the catalyst for a significant turnaround in his fortunes.
Yet another product of the renowned Hills Golf Academy in Jimboomba south of Brisbane, Antcliff is without full status on the PGA Tour of Australasia but a tournament invite to this week’s New Zealand Open will ensure he has the opportunity to build on his great week in the Middle East.
Lucas Herbet and Travis Smyth were tied for 10th after disappointing final rounds especially given their standing through 54 holes.
