A weekend away with mates has paid off for Darren Cummins after he won the 84th annual Mudgee Open in a two-hole play-off.
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Cummins shot an incredible 70 on Sunday to finish on 145 strokes along with pre-tournament favourite Damien Jordan.
The NSW and Queensland mid-amateur championships winner was in control of proceedings following his one-under-par 70 on Saturday to lead by two strokes.
However, Jordan came unstuck in round two and carted a four-over-par 75, which opened the door for Cummins.
When it was known a play-off was to be played, both men went out to the first tee.
Jordan’s day went from bad to worse as he started the two-hole aggregate play-off with a triple bogey.
Cummins bogeyed the first hole but held a two stroke lead.
“I played really well today. There wasn’t much different between the two. There were just more solid shots up the fairway and that was it.”
“Damien was in a bit of trouble up one all the way, he had a bit of a shocker and I needed to make a solid par down two and that was it. And that’s all she wrote,” Cummins explained.
Both players parred the second hole with Cummins winning the play-off by two strokes.
It was Cummins’ first Mudgee Open win and it comes several years after he was a runner-up.
“No not a surprise. I’ve been playing well, consistent golf,” the Camden golfer said.
“I’ve been out here for three years now. I was runner-up about four years ago. It is good to comeback and knock Damien off in a play-off.”
Cummins wasn’t daunted about playing off against a rival who hopes to turn pro next year and has played in the Australian Masters.
“[It’s] Definitely [a thrill]. Especially at my age, I am not a young bloke any more,” the 44-year-old said.
After a rough start, Cummins said he was hitting the ball well on Sunday.
“Yesterday [Saturday] was a bit tough for me, too many trees. But today it was down the middle, down the green,” Cummins said.
“A couple of three-putts but turned them over with a couple of birdies, so it was a good day.
“I played really well today. There wasn’t much different between the two. There were just more solid shots up the fairway and that was it.”
Not bad for a bloke on a weekend away from his wife and children to play golf with his mates.
“It is always good to win an event. I just like getting away with the boys. This was a time to get away from the wife and the kids, and if you happened to win, that’s even better,” he said.
“I’ve won a few events before but nothing major. Just the local one at home - I won that earlier on in the year.”
A full field of 228 players took part in the event.
Four players finished in a tie for third spot on a score of 147 including defending champion Rob Penman and fellow Mudgee golfer Josh Campbell, Newcastle Golf Club’s Mark Gilson and Branxton’s Mark Hale.
John Osborn (152) and Andrew Best (153) were the only other Mudgee golfers to feature in the top 10.
Easter Open and A-grade club champion Matt Consadine finished mid-field.
