Raymond wins in Australia (From Daily Echo)

Raymond wins in Australia

10:17am Friday 3rd February 2012 in Sport

CORHAMPTON golfer Neil Raymond has won the New South Wales Medal after a tense play-off in Australia.

The Hampshire and England ace added another title to his list of amateur career successes when he beat Aussie Brett Drewitt in sudden death at Mona Vale Golf Club.

The pair could not be separated after 36 holes, with both finishing tied on 141. The final two rounds had to be cancelled due to heavy rains, forcing a play-off between Raymond and Drewitt.

Playing on Mona Vale's par-three sixth hole, Raymond looked to be in trouble after watching Drewitt land his tee shot safely on the green before he pulled his effort left.

Raymond chipped to 15 feet, with Drewitt then leaving his first putt six feet away from the hole. But Raymond calmly rolled his ball in for a three to put the pressure back on Drewitt.

The Aussie then missed his putt to halve the hole, handing Raymond the tournament.

The result means that Raymond qualifies as the number one seed for next week's New South Wales Amateur Championship, at Elanora Golf Club. He will play 32nd qualifier Matt Stieger, the 2011 Australian Amateur champion, in the opening round on Monday.