`Juicy & # 039; channels Tiger for national crown

Glen Niciejewski and caddy Peter Harrington celebrate their victory in Collier Park.

Queenslander Glen Niciejewski is a huge fan of Tiger Woods.

And while the American has made many miraculous comebacks in his legendary career, it is doubtful that he has been able to finish one as quickly as the newly crowned Australian Blind Open champion.

The man known to everyone in the blind golf community as "Juicy" has been playing for nine years today to storm his first national championship.

And although his wave excited those in Collier Park on the southern outskirts of Perth, it was nothing compared to the pure joy that Niciejewski felt afterwards.

"I can't believe it. I made an 8 m putt on the last hole and told Peter (caddy and coach Peter Harrington) that I think that was a (back-nine score of net) 30," beamed Niciejewski.

"I just started with & # 39; yahooing & # 39; all around the neighborhood because I knew it was good and it was a great place to do it, but I didn't realize that I had won it (at that stage)

"We then added them all up and people told me that I was at the front and, buddy, I am absolutely at the top of the world.

"I am the Australian Blind Open champion … how good is that?"

Niciejewski started the second day five shots on New South Welshman Graham Coulton's drift in the 36-hole net tournament.

And that backlog had gone up to seven when former British Blind Open champion Coulton played the first nine in net 34 and wanted to keep the title.

But Niciejewski, the youngest in the field at 42, had other ideas.

"I was even right after the front nine, but I just tore the track apart on the back nine," he beamed.

“I just started bombing everything – drivers, fairway woods, irons, everything down to the green. All my putts stopped short, a meter short, a foot short – that was annoying – but the rest was really good. "

A net eagle on the 12th was followed by neat birdies on the 14th, 15th, 16th and 18th holes to reach a total of nine.

But even his back-nine 30 required some help from Coulton, who saw how his own hope in the sand of the green landed on the par-five 17 that he found in three shots, but took eight more to come down, he finally finished three back to a total of six under

"I feel sorry for Graham, it was hard," Niciejewski said.

"But that 69 was my best score in a tournament on the first day, and to pick up three today, I'm just rapping.

“I told my wife Jodie that if my five-year-old partner can find out, I can.

"And I did it."

When asked what he thought Woods would say if he had been there to see Niciejewski's performance, the Queenslander – who was dressed in Tiger & # 39; s trademark for the last round of today – said he had the words of the 15-fold great champion did not want.

"I just want him to hug a big man," Niciejewski said with a big smile.

The Loganlea resident, who said he was obsessed with golf, credits his wife Jodie and Harrington, husband of ALPG Tour member and director of development Lee, for his development.

“I played for the first time in 2010 and have just enjoyed it ever since. Every time I get the chance and Jodie can take me down to see Peter on the Palm Meadows driving range on the Gold Coast, I take it.

"Peter has improved my game so much. My blind golf handicap is 49 and my (Golf Australia) handicap is 36 and my goal is to beat that, to get below that 36."

Niciejewski, Coulton and a handful of other competitors won't have too much time to celebrate their achievements with a flight taking them to participate in the Japan Blind Golf Open next week.

"We are all incredibly grateful to Dr. Handa and ISPS for all the support and sponsorship they offer this tournament and blind golf in general," said Niciejewski.

"Dr. Handa is now taking us to Japan and hopefully we can do something special there."

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