2013 Callaway World Junior Golf Championships
Final Update From JNJG High Performance Manager Khan Pullen
The final round of the 2013 Callaway Junior World Championship was played today. Unfortunately for Grant, he closed with 80, his worst round of the tournament. His total of 301 (+13) saw him finish tied 45.
Grant got off to a bad start today being six over after 5 holes. He did well to play the last 13 holes in two over. His putter let him down with a number of three putts causing bogey’s.
The Boy’s 15-17 year old tournament was one by Jose Mendez from Costa Rica shooting scores of 68,71,71,73 to finish on 283 (-5) for the Championship. Lucas Herbert from Victoria finished 2nd on 285.
Lucas put in a very spirited challenge over the eight holes. When I caught up with Lucas on the 11th hole he was one under for the event and five behind. A good up and down from over the back of the green on the par three 11th for par, a three putt for bogey on the par four 12th was matched by the Jose, so the deficit remained the same with six to go. On the par five 13th Lucas hit a great drive and a long iron to six feet for eagle. Jose got up and down from 70m for birdie, so the deficit was reduced to four. On the 14th Lucas' second finished in the fringe about 10m from the hole. Lucas lipped out the birdie chip and tapped in for par. Jose matched Lucas’s par with a two putt from 60 feet. On 15, Lucas hit driver and wedge that unfortunately spun down the tier to 40 feet. Lucas lipped the birdie putt and tapped in for par. Jose made a routine par. On the 16th Lucas again hit an amazing long iron into the long par three that went straight over the flag to 25 feet. He left the putt sitting agonizingly on lip. Jose two putted from the front fringe. Lucas got up and down from the left greenside rough for par on 17 while Jose failed to get up and down from the rough over the green. The difference was four going down the last. Lucas hit a good drive and another iron shot straight over the flag to 20 feet. Jose laid up hitting his third to 40 feet. Jose three putted for bogey and Lucas lipped out the eagle putt and made birdie. Jose won by two.
Ryan Ruffels the only other Australian in the boys field after the cut shot 73 today to finish on 290 (+2) in a tie for 7th.
Hannah Green from Western Australia fired a final round of 73 to finish on 293 (+5) in a tie for 10th in the Girls 15-17 year old division. The event was won by Mariel Galdiano from Hawaii finishing on 279 (-9) for the tournament. She won by seven from Lou Daniella Uy from the Phillipines.
Overall it has been a great week!! Watching some of the world’s best juniors on a championship course in great condition. Grant and Jess have thoroughly enjoyed their experience and now have a great understanding of what is required to compete at the highest level of junior golf.
What I have learned this week:
- Australia’s leading juniors are equal to those from around the world;
- The depth of talent at the girls event was deeper than expected;
- That our players are generally more technically sound with their long game techniques; most US and South American players that I observed were of the “grip it and rip it variety”, the US and South American girls also fit into this category;
- That due to nature of the competitive and scoring emphasis in the US system, that they are hardened competitors and just “get the job done” scoring wise not matter how they are striking the ball;
- That our players need to play on more championship courses that are setup to championship level conditions. In particular narrower fairways, with the rough up especially around the greens;
- We need in NSW more “world class” short game facilities that will enable our players to be able to practice the variety shots of that they will face at championship setup golf courses;
- Our NSW players need to play against stronger fields nationally and internationally as much as possible to truly gauge “where they are at”;
- That going to college and pursuing further education is a major priority of most USA and South American junior players. There was over 80 college coaches in attendance at the event. Most US colleges look to recruit locally i.e. within their own state then look internationally;
- That our junior players should be grateful for the financial support they receive from their clubs, state and national associations as it is all self-funded in the USA. To become a member of the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) is approximately $250 with entry fees to events around $250 also.
For a full list of results from the event please click here.
Round Three Update From JNJG High Performance Manager Khan Pullen
Grant Booth followed up his opening round of 70 with rounds of 73 and 78 to make the 54 hole cut (top 50 plus ties) at +5. The cut was +9. Grant currently sits in a tie for 19th. Grant started todays round with a bogey on the tough par 4 first hole, when his approach shot finished in the greenside bunker and was unable to get up and down. Grant has bogeyed this tough opening hole each day. A good up and down from the rough off the back green on the second for a par, followed by a good looking tee shot that was just right of the flag, but flew the green on the third cost Grant another bogey to be two over early. Two more bogeys on 6 and 7 from missed fairways and another bogey on 9 saw Grant turn in a five over 41. A solid one over 37 on the tough back nine, saw Grant steady the ship and turn what could have been a disaster round in a reasonable score. The field’s average score today was 78.33, which is the highest the three days. Some of the tees in today’s round where moved back to where they play the PGA Tour event and the pins cut in the corner of the greens making it difficult to hit your approaches close to the hole and save par when you short sided yourself.
Jose Mendez, from Costa Rica, currently holds the lead on -6, followed by Lucas Herbert from Victoria on -3. Ryan Ruffles also from Victoria currently sits on +1 in a tie for 9th.
Jess Lasky followed up her opening round of 81 with a second round of 79 and a much better third round of two over 74 to be +18 after 54 holes. Unfortunately for Jess she has missed the 54 hole cut which was set at +9. Jess finally settled in her round today with much better ball striking and more relaxed demeanor of the course to show her true potential.
When I caught up with Jess as she turned into the back nine on today’s round she had turned one over 37. A lipped out putt for par on the 11th hole cost her a bogey followed by a pulled tee shot into left rough on 13 for another bogey saw her three over for the round. Jess played 14 and 15 in regulation pars. Another solid tee shot on 16 and a 80 metre pitch to 10 feet saw her birdie to get one back. A tee shot to three feet on the tough par three 17th for another birdie saw her fight back to one over for the round. A miss judged wedge shot on the par five last hole, left Jess with a 50 footer for birdie. Jess misread the putt leaving a seven footer for par which she unfortunately missed.
Jess is still in good spirits and really enjoyed her first major international junior event. It has been a real eye opener for her to see the quality and quantity of good players from around the world at this event and will use it as motivation to continue to work hard on developing her game.
The current leader in the girls 15-17 is Mariel Galdiano from Pearl City Hawaii at -8 followed by Lou Daniella Uy from the Philippines at -2.
Hannah Green from Western Australia is the only Australian girl to make the 54 cut. Hannah is currently +4 after rounds of 75, 70 and 75 to be placed in a tie for 13th.
Round One
Grant Booth (The Australian) and Jessica Lasky (The Australian) teed it up in the first round of the 2013 Callaway Junior Worlds at the world famous Torrey Pines Golf Course today in San Diego, California. Torrey Pines held the Farmers Insurance Open earlier this year. A PGA Tour event that Tiger Woods won. Tiger also won the 2008 US Open at Torrey Pines defeating Rocco Mediate in a playoff.
Jess Lasky started of the 10th tee on the North Course at 9.20am US time. Jess got off to a nervous start double bogeying the first two holes and bogeying the third. A birdie on the 13th hole saw Jess recover some ground, but she just never settled on the first nine, bogeying two more holes to turn in 43. Jess started the turn with 3 more bogeys on the first 4 holes, but rallied to finish shooting 1 under her last 5 to shot 81 (+9). This currently places Jess in a tie for 114th.
Grant Booth teed off the North Course at 12.20pm on the first tee. After bogeying the first hole Grant then birdied holes 2 and 4. Another bogey on the 7th hole saw Grant make the turn at even par. Grant started the back nine very solidly with birdies at 11, 13 and 14 to get it to three under for the round before bogeying the par 5 18th, to eventually shoot 70 (-2). Grant currently sits in a tie for 9th.
The Callaway Junior Worlds is a major event on the international junior calendar. It has a strong international field as well as number of highly ranked US players competing for this coveted title. A number of current and former US Tour players have won this event including Tiger Woods, Kevin and Craig Staler, Ernie Ells, Phil Mickelson, Corey Paving, Nick Price and David Toms.
A number of Australians have also had success here including Jason Day, Matt Giles and Andrew Buckle.
Former girl winners include; Amy Alcott, Brandie Burton, Lorena Ochoa and Jennifer Rosales.
It is also major US College recruitment event with at least 80 US College Coaches in attendance during the week.
We wish Grant and Jess the best of luck for their second round and will keep the updates coming.
