It’s tough when you lose a playoff, especially at a tournament as significant as the Ford New South Wales Open.
And that probably is doubly so when those on the wrong end of extra time are young men who’ve done a couple of laps of the block, but are yet to roll into victory lane in a “big one”.
But then there are the upsides.
And as the likeable duo of Will Florimo and James Marchesani shook hands with champion Chris Wood, each reached for those positives despite their anguish.
Florimo was first to bow out, his (conceded) bogey on the third playoff hole the result of a flared approach shot that gave him a tough lie and no green to work with, even with his magical wedges that had earlier set The Vintage alight.
He’d come from a long way back – starting at one under and almost two hours before the final group teed off – so there was great reason for his pride after his closing 66.
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“I’ve played pretty good this week and I feel like I missed out nearly every day (on better scores) except for today,” the Queenslander reflected.
“Today I was really patient, I was super excited to play with Lucas (Herbert), and it was just really, really nice from the start, so yeah, there’s lots to be proud of.
Florimo, whose sights are firmly on Asian Tour Q School in mid-December, said the week has given him great confidence.
“We spoke about playing well with Lucas last night when I saw the draw, and it was an exciting opportunity for me with what’s coming in the next few weeks.
“So to be able to play like that in front of him and put on a bit of a show, it was really awesome for me and my confidence moving into the summer.
Florimo’s shot at glory came on the first playoff hole when he left his downhill birdie try on the 18th hole agonisingly short from the back fringe.
“Yeah, it was in the heart. No, I know how dicey (fast) that was. I watched the boys coming up the stretch, both putt from there and actually hit it a fair way by.
“So that was what was in the back of my mind. I’m not going to lie, I liked the look of it when it got on the green, though.”
Florimo said he likened his search for a win at this level of the Australian PGA Tour to Englishman Tommy Fleetwood’s well-documented 164-event drought in the United States that ended this year.
“Tommy’s attitude was that he just had to keep putting yourself there and be grateful for the chance,” Florimo said.
“Look, it’s another brick we’re adding to the wall (of my experience)… and the door will get knocked down one day, hopefully soon.”
Marchesani was equally upbeat when his chance ended on the fourth time up the 18th fairway when Wood knocked in the decisive birdie putt.
The Victorian, who has spent time travelling with Wood playing in China, had earlier had a 12-foot birdie try on the third playoff hole.
He’d also lit up the back nine just to make the finale, so was also excited about his form at the start of a big summer.
“It’s obviously disappointing to lose in a playoff, but it’s good to see the game trending in the right spot and that it’s good enough to win,” he said.
“I knew it was going to be a huge week, and the game felt good and that mentally everything was in a good place.
“I didn’t get off to a great start… but when it clicked today, I came home flying,” he said of a finish that included four birdies in his final five holes en route to a fine 67.
“I thought I had the momentum when we got started here, and I thought I hit a great putt when I had my chance.
“It just sort of burnt across that front side of the hole… I mean, it might have…” he reflected painfully.
“But look, I hit a good putt on the line that I thought, so that’s all you can do.
“It’s hard because Chris is a good mate, too. We’ve done a lot of travel together, and you want to see your mates win, but it’s a little different when you go head-to-head.
“So, yeah, both pleased and disappointed at the same time.
“But everything feels good. I’ve just got to keep doing. Keep doing me, which I think is important.”
