Seventeen-year-old Josh Fuller recently captured the Australian Faldo Series World Qualifying event at the Castle Hill Golf Club – and will now represent the nation in Vietnam in 2019.

The St Joseph’s High School Aberdeen student carded 72, 71 and 69 on the tough par 68 course to win the under-18 title by two strokes from prominent youngster Lachlan Chamberlain.

Even though he registered four bogeys in the final round, the Muswellbrook Junior Golf Club member held his nerve under immense pressure to finish birdie-birdie.

“I must admit, I didn’t have many expectations heading into the tournament,” Fuller said.

“To be honest, I haven’t had the best season.

“I just wanted to post a good score.”

The national leg of the Faldo Series was played over 54 holes – 18 on Monday, and a further 36 on the Tuesday. 

Despite that demanding schedule, Fuller bounced back from a shaky start.

“I struggled on the first day,” he conceded.

“Luckily, my short game saved me.

“I then found a bit of form on the second.

“A birdie-birdie finish gave me some momentum leading into the third round.

“Although I began badly, I closed with another birdie-birdie while Lachlan went par-par.

“In the end, I was happy I put a good tournament together.”

The 2018-19 Faldo Series boasts two events in China, India and Thailand, while championships are staged in Australia, Bangladesh, Chinese-Taipei, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam, too.

Recognised as the only global amateur series for boys and girls, it was established in 1996, expanding to Asia in 2006.

Today, 40 Faldo Series tournaments take place in 30-plus countries worldwide, touching more than 7000 golfers each year. 

Fuller will venture to the World Final, in Vietnam, next March for a week of tuition as well as one-on-one time with the great man himself, Sir Nick Faldo, who spent 97 weeks at No. 1 on the Official World Golf Ranking.

He was also inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1997.

“I’ve never played overseas before, so I’m looking forward to the experience,” the talented teen said.

“I’ll work with my coach Mark Ingrey over the next two-and-a-half months to prepare.

“But, it’s a terrific opportunity.

“It will be a thrill to meet Nick Faldo.

“He’s one of golfing’s greats.

“Tseng Ya-ni and Rory McIlroy, both multiple major winners, are past champions of the World Final.

“If I can snare a Top 20 finish, it would be amazing.

“Anything better than that is icing on the cake.”

The scratch-marker harbours aspirations to play on the international stage one day.

“I’d love to hit the circuit full-time,” Fuller said.

“That’s the ultimate goal.

“I’m hoping to obtain a college scholarship in the United States after I complete my Higher School Certificate (HSC) at the end of Year 12.”