Battling against the elements and a formidable challenge from European Tour victor Martin Wiegele, Hamza Amin of Pakistan secured victory at the Austrian National Open Golf Championship in Oberwaltersdorf, Austria, on Tuesday.
Hamza Amin, who is married to acclaimed actor Ushna Shah, made the triumph all the more memorable by having his father, the esteemed Taimur Hassan, as his caddy during the tournament.
A series of expertly executed birdies propelled Hamza to clinch the championship by a margin of two strokes on Monday. Enduring challenging conditions, Hamza, representing the Rumanza Golf Club, demonstrated remarkable prowess with scores of 71, 70, 75, and 69. His exceptional back nine on Sunday saw him secure victory, with crucial birdies on holes 11, 13, 15, and 17, ultimately leading him to claim the championship by a two-shot advantage.
Reflecting on his victory, Hamza shared, “Winning the Open again is an incredible feeling, particularly with my father on the bag. We’ve etched history and will cherish this memory forever. Although I played well, my performance in the third round wasn’t up to par.”
“The conditions were extremely challenging, with strong winds. Thankfully, I managed a birdie on the 18th hole on Saturday, which kept me within two strokes of the lead and in contention. Psychologically, that birdie gave me the momentum I needed for the final round.
Despite struggling with my putter throughout the day, I reminded myself to stay patient and persistent. That’s when my putting improved, and I started sinking birdie putts,” he shared.
Taimur Hassan, a highly celebrated amateur golfer from Pakistan, expressed his jubilation, stating, “Caddying for Hamza and being part of his victory was an incredible experience.
The combination of father and son brought immense joy.” The Austrian National Open Championship spans four days and holds a significant place in the Austrian Golf Association’s calendar.
The tournament unfolded at the illustrious Fontana Golf Club, a venue that has previously hosted numerous European Tour events. The professionals competed for a total prize fund of 20,000 euros, vying not only for the national championship title but also to uphold the legacy established by national golf luminaries like Markus Brier, Niki Zitny, and Bernd Wiesberger.
With its internationally renowned championship course, Fontana Golf Club provided an ideal backdrop for this year’s exhilarating and demanding championship. With 151 participants in the Open, now in its 49th year, the event showcased the strength of the National A and B teams, guided by the Austrian Federation coaching staff, but it was Hamza who ultimately secured victory in a captivating fashion.
While professionals competed for the winner’s purse of 4,500 euros, amateurs aimed to achieve the esteemed title of Austrian National Champion, the most coveted honor in Austrian golf.
