IT hasn’t been an easy road for former IAS and Wollongong’s rising golf star Jordan Zunic but the young gun is hopeful of joining the pro circuit by Christmas. After graduating from the IAS in 2007, Zunic, now 22, had initially circled 2013 as the year he would turn professional and start taking on the PGA heavyweights around the globe. His career was placed on standby when a serious car accident confined the young talent to a hospital bed for two months while competing as an amateur in the US. He lost 40per cent of his blood, sustained cuts to his head and fractured his elbow in three places. Zunic says he is only now beginning to feel confident in the movement in his elbow. No matter how fit he is, there is no doubting Zunic’s ability on the course. He flew home from China on Monday carrying his first major international golf title, following a thrilling come-from-behind win at the China Amateur. Zunic shot himself in the foot on day one when he scored a nine-over-par 81 in windy conditions on the unfamiliar course. He then shot a 73 and a 71 in the following two rounds, and was five shots off the lead heading in the fourth and final day of competition. Zunic shot a four-under-par 68 and finished the day tied for the lead, then sank a two-metre birdie putt on the second playoff hole to clinch the gold. He rates the victory as one of the biggest of his blossoming career. ‘‘This would be right up there for sure,” Zunic said. ‘‘The fact that it’s my first win away from home, overseas, that’s quite a big deal for me. ‘‘It feels nice, a lot of hard work is paying off. ‘‘I’ve been working hard with my coach in Cronulla and also my sport psych here in Wollongong. ‘‘All the hard work we’ve been doing, it’s nice to get something back and have something to show for it.” The China Amateur is just the start of a busy couple of months for Zunic. He plans to contest the Federal Amateur in Canberra in early November, then the NSW Open at Stonecutters Ridge in Sydney, where he hopes to qualify for the Australian Open amateur card. In mid-December he will attend ‘‘tour school”, from where he hopes to graduate to the professional circuit. From laying in a hospital bed to getting a crack at the PGA pro rankings, it’s been a whirlwind 12 months for Zunic. ‘‘I always focused on getting back to where I was,” he said. ‘‘Now my health is starting to get back to 100 per cent and I can focus on my golf completely. ‘‘As long as I’m feeling like I’m ready I’m going to have a crack this year.” Zunic continues to work for ‘‘pocket money” at the Port Kembla Golf Club while chasing amateur tournaments around the country.
