SYDNEY'S Michael Williams survived a late charge from Victorian Yeon Jin Jeong to win the NSW Amateur Strokeplay Championships at Newcastle Golf Club yesterday.
A member of the St Michael's club in Sydney, Williams had a two-under-par final-round 70 to finish 14 under for the 72-hole tournament and a two-shot winner over Jeong.
The tournament was played at Muree and Newcastle for the first two rounds on Tuesday and Wednesday before culminating with the last 36 holes at Newcastle yesterday.
Williams shared the lead with Reece Hodson at seven under heading into yesterday and opened up a two-stroke lead over Queensland's Tim Hart after shooting 67 in the morning.
He managed to shake Hart off in the afternoon after the Queenslander posted a final-round 71 but Jeong went to the clubhouse at 12 under when Williams was still on the course on the same score.
Williams fired two birdies on his closing three holes to take the crown and set himself up as the No.1 seed for the NSW Amateur Matchplay Championships starting at Royal Sydney club next Monday.
Charlestown 15-year-old Jake Higginbottom made sure he was in the final 32 for the matchplay event by finishing in a tie for fourth at seven under par.
Toronto's Callan O'Reilly was at five under par and also qualified for next week's knockout event.
Three other Newcastle players survived a six-man play-off for the final five places in the matchplay field.
Belmont pair Chris Smith and Clayton Bridges and Newcastle's Jamie Hook were all successful.