Leaney celebrating 25th WA Open anniversary

Every time West Aussie Stephen Leaney tees it up at the WA Open it is special, however this week he is celebrating one of his biggest career achievements.

25-years-ago Leaney introduced himself to the golf industry when he won the WA Open as a 22-year-old amateur.

“It was certainly a great win and I still think about it occasionally, more so at times when I come back to play the WA Open,” said Leaney.

“I can still recall the scores that I had. I shot rounds of 65, 66, 68, I think I had a five shot lead starting the final round with Glenn Joyner and lost the entire lead in six holes.”

“After six holes I was 5-over for the day and then I birdied the next six holes. It was just one of those days.”

“I think if I had lost that tournament, it’s hard to know, but I am not sure I would have had the career that I have.”

To commemorate the milestone Leaney will play the first two rounds of the Nexus Risk TSA Group WA Open this week alongside Wayne Smith who he also played with in the opening rounds all those years ago.

“I played with him the first two days so it will be a little bit of déjà vu when we tee it up again on Thursday,” added Leaney.

“It’s amazing how much water has passed under the bridge but I am sure we will talk about it over the next few days and have a bit of fun.”

The WA Open victory launched Leaney’s career in which he went on to represent his country on the international stage, win four European Tour titles, a further eight PGA Tour of Australasia titles including the WA Open four more times and compete in 18 Major Championships highlighted by a runner-up finish at the 2003 US Open.

“The WA Open was probably one of the turning points of my career. I was still an amateur at the time and it really proved to me that I could compete against Professionals. It doesn’t seem like 25 years, a lot has happened in that time but when I think about it it was one of my career highlights for sure,” said Leaney, who took some time to reflect on his successful career at the Western Australian Golf Club.

“Obviously the wins stand out but more so the times when you get to represent your country. I have played in two Dunhill Cups at St Andrews, which aside from the President’s Cup, is the main highlight. You get to wear Australia on your jumper and you don’t get to do that very often.”

Since Leaney won the WA Open title as an amateur only one other player has achieved the feat; fellow West Australian Oliver Goss in 2012.