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Junior Golf World Cup

ROSE ZHANG SHARES INDIVIDUAL HONORS AT TOYOTA JUNIOR GOLF WORLD CUP

Japan repeats as girls' champs; South Africa boys complete record week

Full scoring: golfstat.com/home.html

TOYOTA CITY, Japan (June 21, 2019) – Rose Zhang survived a hard-fought duel down the stretch to share medalist honors Friday in the girls’ division of the TOYOTA Junior Golf World Cup supported by JAL, though it wasn’t enough to wrest the team title back from host Japan.

Zhang (Irvine, Calif.) eagled twice on the way to a 4-under-par 68 at Chukyo Golf Club, though a bogey/bogey finish left her in a bittersweet three-way deadlock with Mexico’s Cory Lopez and Australia’s Cassie Porter with totals of 11-under 277.

“I got tri-first place, which I guess is a plus,” Zhang said. “I wish I could have done better, but I’m sure other people wish they could have done better. So I will take it and will continue to work hard.”

Lopez and Porter also had their chances, but Lopez also bogeyed her final two holes and Porter took bogey at the tough par-4 18th.

Japan won the girls’ championship for the second consecutive year, holding off challenges from both Mexico and the U.S. threesome to keep the trophy in the home nation’s possession.

South Africa’s boys put the finishing touches on a record romp, riding the 1-2 combination of Samuel Simpson and Martin Vorster for one more day to become the first team to break 40-under par over 72 holes.

The title was South Africa’s second in the event’s 27-year history, alongside the 2001 squad that included future major winners Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel.

“We’re extremely proud of them,” said South Africa captain Eden Thompson. “A lot of them have done very well individually, both internationally and at home. But to put your country’s name up there – this one’s very special for us.”

The competition uses a format similar to U.S. college golf, with each boys’ team counting the three best scores among its four players each day. In the girls’ division, each team will count the two best scores among three.

Tsubasa Kajitani led Japan’s final-round push with her own 68, capped by a 15-foot birdie at No.18 that effectively sealed the outcome with Lopez and Zhang still on the course.

“That’s when I felt confident Japan would win,” said Japan coach Saori Iwamoto. “Even so, I went back to Miyu (Yamashita) and told her not to get too comfortable. Just play your golf.”

Yamashita parred the final hole for a 71, bringing Japan to the finish at 18-under 558. Mexico came home three shots off the pace, taking solo second when Isabella Fierro holed a long, bouncing putt from off the green at No.18.

The United States was another shot back in third. Michaela Morard (Huntsville, Ala.) closed out her week with an even-par 72, while Sadie Englemann (Austin, Texas) carded her third 75 in four days.

“Congrats to the Japan team,” said Zhang, just three weeks removed from playing four days at the U.S. Women’s Open. “They really killed it out there. They played spectacularly.”

South Africa’s boys already had rewritten the record book earlier in the week, becoming the first team in at least a dozen years to break 200 in a single day when they combined for a 14-under-par 199 on Wednesday. One day later, they went even lower at 19-under 195.

On Friday, Simpson and Vorster matched each other with 3-under-par 68s, leaving Simpson four shots ahead of his teammate for individual honors.

South Africa’s team score of 41-under-par 811 wound up a full 11 shots clear of runner-up Japan and 12 ahead of Spain. The United States finished fourth, rising one spot on the leaderboard as their 8-under par team total matched Friday’s best.

“It was a nice way to finish,” said U.S. coach Nick Clinard.

William Moll (Houston) paced the U.S. effort with a share of seventh in the individual competition, as Friday’s 68 gave him three rounds in the 60s for the week.

Alex Vogelsong (Palm City, Fla.) and Tyler Wilkes (Tampa, Fla.) were part of a three-way tie for 20th, as Wilkes fired a 68 and Vogelsong posted 71. John Keefer (San Antonio) closed his week with a 69, his best of the tournament.

Though Friday brought a tougher course setup and the arrival of afternoon breezes, South Africa got off to a solid start and never let anyone get closer than six shots.

“It’s good to come overseas and play well,” said Simpson, who finished at 18-under 266. “Anybody can play well in their home country, but it’s really nice to come and do it overseas. And our team did it also as a whole.”

Simpson noted that Vorster, a product of the Louis Oosthuizen Academy in their homeland, received a message between rounds from the former Open Championship winner wishing the team good luck.

“That was really cool,” said Simpson. “You get a bit of goosebumps to think that he’s watching the live scoring and rooting for us. It was exciting to close it out for him.”

The TOYOTA Junior Golf World Cup supported by JAL, now in its 27th edition, was the final destination of a process that began with 73 national teams entered in regional qualifiers across six continents.

More information about the TOYOTA Junior Golf World Cup can be found online at WJGTC.org, including a video library that includes interviews with former World Cup participants.

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BOYS TEAM STANDINGS

1. South Africa 208-199-194-210=811 (-41)
2. Japan 208-205-197-212=822 (-30)
3. Spain 204-204-204-211=823 (-29)
4. United States 208-207-210-205=830 (-22)
5. Thailand 216-203-205-213=837 (-15)
6. Canada 212-219-202-205=838 (-14)
7. Sweden 213-207-206-213=839 (-13)
8. Argentina 210-212-206-214=842 (-10)
9. Philippines 216-209-210-213=848 (-4)
10. Australia 215-212-207-215=849 (-3)
11. Colombia 217-206-209-223=855 (+3)
12. Denmark 223-213-210-211=857 (+5)
13. Switzerland 214-216-211-219=860 (+8)
14. Mexico 221-214-216-213=864 (+12)
15. Uganda 233-241-237-233=944 (+92)

BOYS INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

1. Samuel Simpson, South Africa 70-65-63-68=266 (-18)
2. Martin Vorster, South Africa 71-66-65-68=270 (-14)
3. Christopher Vandette, Canada 69-71-63-68=271 (-13)
t4. Yuta Sugiura, Japan 69-67-65-71=272 (-12)
t4. Abel Gallegos, Argentina 66-66-70-70=272 (-12)
6. Gustav Andersson, Sweden 66-66-70-71=273 (-11)
t7. William Moll, United States 67-70-69-68=274 (-10)
t7. David Puig, Spain 69-71-65-69=274 (-10)
t20. Alex Vogelsong, United States 71-67-72-71=281 (-3)
t20. Tyler Wilkes, United States 70-74-69-68=281 (-3)
t31. John Keefer, United States 73-70-73-69=285 (+1)

GIRLS TEAM STANDINGS

1. Japan 144-138-137-139=558 (-18)
2. Mexico 140-144-138-139=561 (-15)
3. United States 143-138-141-140=562 (-14)
4. Australia 146-142-137-142=567 (-9)
5. Spain 144-141-141-143=569 (-7)
6. South Africa 149-142-145-138=574 (-2)
7. Sweden 143-141-145-148=577 (+1)
8. Korea 146-144-152-142=584 (+8)
9. Colombia 149-148-151-142=590 (+14)
GIRLS INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

t1. Rose Zhang, United States 71-68-70-68=277 (-11)
t1. Cory Lopez, Mexico 70-72-67-68=277 (-11)
t1. Cassie Porter, Australia 71-70-67-69=277 (-11)
4. Tsubasa Kajitani, Japan 72-70-69-68=279 (-9)
5. Siwoo Chung, Korea 70-69-69-72=280 (-8)
t6. Carla Tejedo, Spain 69-72-69-71=281 (-7)
t6. Miyu Yamashita, Japan 72-68-68-71=281 (-7)
8. Isabella Fierro, Mexico 70-72-71-71=284 (-4)
t15. Michaela Morard, United States 72-76-71-72=291 (+3)
t18. Sadie Englemann, United States 75-70-75-75=295 (+7)

 

JAPAN GIRLS OVERTAKE U.S. IN REPEAT BID AT TOYOTA JUNIOR GOLF WORLD CUP

South Africa boys continue dominance, take 9-shot lead into final day

Full scoring: golfstat.com/home.html

TOYOTA CITY, Japan (June 20, 2019) – Japan moved into position to claim the girls’ crown at the TOYOTA Junior Golf World Cup supported by JAL for a second consecutive year, overtaking their United States rivals Thursday to move out to a three-shot edge heading into the final day.

Miyu Yamashita fired her second consecutive 4-under-par 68 and Tsubasa Kajitani added a bogey-free 69, teaming for a 7-under 137 for the best daily total in the girls’ division. Their total of 13-under 419 is one stroke off the three-day total for last year’s winning team.

The United States, which led after Day 2, was tied with Mexico for second at 10-under. A 67 from Cory Lopez helped Mexico move within striking distance, though both still lost ground to the defending champions.

“It was just a mental battle all day,” said U.S. coach Lauren Giesecke. “We hit the ball so well. Everyone expected to make some more putts than they did.”

Rose Zhang (Irvine, Calif.) posted a 70 on Thursday to pace the U.S. trio, while Michaela Morard (Huntsville, Ala.) contributed a 71. Sadie Englemann (Austin, Texas) carded a 75.

South Africa’s boys, meantime, followed up a historic Round 2 with an even better one – combining for a 19-under 194 that was five strokes better than 24 hours earlier. They departed Chukyo Golf Club with a nine-shot cushion over Japan, which also beat the South Africans’ second round.

On Wednesday, South Africa’s 199 marked the first time in at least a dozen years that a team had posted a round under 200.

“The boys played unbelievable,” said South Africa captain Eden Thompson. “They’ve done what we asked them to do. We always reference about just managing the manageables and the rest will take care of itself.”

Spain, the Day 1 leaders, were another two shots off South Africa’s pace in third. The United States dropped to fifth, trailing the leaders by 24.

“We’re frustrated,” said U.S. coach Nick Clinard. “We didn’t make a lot of putts. But tomorrow’s a new day and we’ll try to win the day tomorrow.”

William Moll (Houston) and Tyler Wilkes (Tampa, Fla.) paced the U.S. effort on Thursday with a pair of 69s. Next came Alex Vogelsong (Palm City, Fla.) with a 72, while John Keefer (San Antonio) produced a 73.

At 38-under-par 601, South Africa is already 15 strokes against par better than Denmark’s winning total a year ago. Samuel Simpson also holds a three-shot advantage in the individual competition, following up Wednesday’s 65 with a 63 to reach the 54-hole checkpoint at 15-under 198.

Australia’s Cassie Porter and Korea’s Siwoo Chung share the girls’ lead at 8-under 208. Porter’s 67 on Thursday matched Lopez for the best round of the tournament, while Chung bogeyed two of her final three holes to open the door.

The competition uses a format similar to U.S. college golf, with each boys’ team counting the three best scores among its four players each day. In the girls’ division, each team counts the two best scores among three.

“Whoever can make putts, that’s what’s going to get you into first place,” said U.S. girls coach Lauren Giesecke. “It’s also about staying grounded and not trying to get greedy. Stay patient and keep playing your own game.”

That’s been the formula for the Japanese girls, who changed their approach after a slow start and have improved their team score each day.

“Our first strategy was to have a really good score on the first day,” said Japan coach Saori Iwamoto. “That did not go well, so we changed the strategy. We told them to do the best they can do and try to get a little better every day.”

Yamashita has been key to the rise, rebounding from an opening 74. That came just days after competing in the Suntory Ladies’ open on the Japan LPGA, where she finished in a tie for 34th.

Lopez birdied four of her final seven holes on the way to Thursday’s 67, including a tap-in birdie on her final hole.

“I finally made some putts,” said Lopez, who also lurks one stroke behind Porter and Chung for the girls’ individual lead. “I hit the ball closer to the flags today.”

Simpson, meantime, showed no signs of slowing down after Wednesday’s 65. He birdied three of his first four holes, chipped in for eagle at the short par-5 ninth and added three more birdies after the turn.

“I just wanted to go out and play some decent golf,” said Simpson. “I wound up holing that chip shot at No.9 to make the turn at 5-under – just kind of a ‘Wow!’ and take everything as it comes.”

Canada’s Christopher Vendette also carded a 63 on Thursday.

Japan got a 65 from Yuta Sugiura – one of just two boys with all three rounds in the 60s. But the big move came from Takara Oshima, who rebounded from a 76 on Wednesday to shoot 7-under 64.

Spain, which led the first day and trailed by one at the midway point, couldn’t keep pace despite its third consecutive daily total of 204. They found themselves 11 shots off the pace at 27-under 612.

More information about the TOYOTA Junior Golf World Cup Supported by JAL and be found online at WJGTC.org, including a video library that includes interviews with former World Cup participants.

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BOYS TEAM STANDINGS

1. South Africa 208-199-194=601 (-38)
2. Japan 208-205-197=610 (-29)
3. Spain 204-204-204=612 (-27)
4. Thailand 216-203-205=624 (-15)
5. United States 208-207-210=625 (-14)
6. Sweden 213-207-206=626 (-13)
7. Argentina 210-212-206=628 (-11)
8. Colombia 217-206-209=632 (-7)
9. Canada 212-219-202=633 (-6)
10. Australia 215-212-207=634 (-5)
11. Philippines 216-209-210=635 (-4)
12. Switzerland 214-216-211=641 (+2)
13. Denmark 223-213-210=646 (+7)
14. Mexico 221-214-216=651 (+12)
15. Uganda 233-241-237=711 (+72)

BOYS INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

1. Samuel Simpson, South Africa 70-65-63=198 (-15)
2. Yuta Sugiura, Japan 69-67-65=201 (-12)
t3. Martin Vorster, South Africa 71-66-65=202 (-11)
t3. Abel Gallegos, Argentina 66-66-70=202 (-11)
t3. Gustav Andersson, Sweden 66-66-70=202 (-11)
6. Christopher Vandette, Canada 69-71-63=203 (-10)
t7. Albert Boneta, Spain 66-67-72=205 (-8)
t7. David Puig, Spain 69-71-65=205 (-8)
t9. William Moll, United States 67-70-69=206 (-7)
t21. Alex Vogelsong, United States 71-67-72=210 (-3)
t30. Tyler Wilkes, United States 70-74-69=213 (E)
t37. John Keefer, United States 73-70-73=216 (+3)

GIRLS TEAM STANDINGS

1. Japan 144-138-137=419 (-13)
t2. United States 143-138-141=422 (-10)
t2. Mexico 140-144-138=422 (-10)
4. Australia 146-142-137=425 (-7)
5. Spain 144-141-141=426 (-6)
6. Sweden 143-141-145=429 (-3)
7. South Africa 149-142-145=436 (+4)
8. Korea 146-144-152=442 (+10)
9. Colombia 149-148-151=448 (+16)
GIRLS INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

t1. Siwoo Chung, Korea 70-69-69=208 (-8)
t1. Cassie Porter, Australia 71-70-67=208 (-8)
t3. Cory Lopez, Mexico 70-72-67=209 (-7)
t3. Rose Zhang, United States 71-68-70=209 (-7)
t5. Carla Tejedo, Spain 69-72-69=210 (-6)
t5. Miyu Yamashita, Japan 72-68-68=210 (-6)
7. Tsubasa Kajitani, Japan 72-70-69=211 (-5)
15. Michaela Morard, United States 72-76-71=219 (+3)
16. Sadie Englemann, United States 75-70-75=220 (+4)

 

ZHANG'S CLOSING BIRDIE LIFTS U.S. TO GIRLS' LEAD AT TOYOTA JUNIOR GOLF WORLD CUP

South Africa boys enter rare territory as they wrest lead from Spain

Full scoring: golfstat.com/home.html

TOYOTA CITY, Japan (June 19, 2019) – Rose Zhang’s first round at the TOYOTA Junior Golf World Cup ended on a sour note with a three-putt bogey. One day later, the finish left her with a much brighter outlook.

The Californian striped a 9-iron to 3 feet at Chukyo Golf Club’s 18th hole Wednesday, draining the birdie putt that proved the difference as the United States surged used a late surge to grab the lead at the tournament’s midway point.

“With everyone who finished sitting there watching, it was a special moment,” said Zhang, whose 4-under-par 68 matched the best round of the tournament and gave her a share of the individual lead.

Combined with a 70 from Sadie Englemann (Austin, Texas), Team USA moved one stroke ahead of defending champion Japan with a total of 7-under 281. Mexico and Sweden were three shots off the pace, with Spain another shot back.

South Africa’s boys orchestrated a tour de force on Wednesday, becoming the first team in at least a dozen years to break 200 for a round as they overtook Spain for a one-shot advantage.

Samuel Simpson made up for an opening double bogey by playing his last six holes in 6-under par, posting a 65 that stands as the lowest by anybody this week. Martin Vorster carded a bogey-free 66, ending his day with four birdies in his last five holes.

Toss in a 68 by Christo Lamprecht, and the South Africans reached the finish line at 14-under 199. A search of tournament records going back to 2007 shows no other team breaking 200 in a round.

“Just an amazing day,” said South Africa captain Eden Thompson, whose team finished two days at 19-under 407. “I think the boys are confident. They like the golf course and we’ve had really good weather the last two days. We’ve put ourselves exactly where we want to be.”

The U.S. foursome was seven shots behind in fourth, led by a 67 from Alexander Vogelsong (Palm City, Fla.). William Moll (Houston) followed up his opening 67 with a 70 that left him tied for seventh among individuals.

“I just got a couple of good breaks, unlike (Tuesday) when I hit some good shots and wasn’t rewarded for them,” said Vogelsong, who will play collegiately for Auburn in the fall.

Sweden’s Gustav Andersson and Argentina’s Abel Gallegos shared the boys’ individual lead, posting matching 66s for the second straight day to reach the midway point at 10-under 132.

The competition uses a format similar to U.S. college golf, with each boys’ team counting the three best scores among its four players each day. In the girls’ division, each team counts the two best scores among three.

South Africa actually produced four scores in the 60s on Wednesday, with Casey Jarvis posting a 69 that couldn’t make the cut.

“Unbelievable,” said Spain coach Yago Beamonte. “Our worst was level par and I think that’s very good.”

Spain, which held a four-shot advantage after going 9-under in the first round, matched that score Wednesday and still fell into second. Jose Luis Ballester eagled the par-5 ninth to finish off a 68, while Samuel Espinoza carded a 69.

Simpson got off to a dubious start when he sent his opening tee shot out of bounds, leading to a double bogey. But gave just one shot back to par the rest of the way, culminating in a back-nine 29 that included a chip-in eagle at No.6. He closed his round with three consecutive birdies.

“I was just trying to get to the clubhouse and post a good number for my team,” said Simpson. “It ended up feeling like the putter was just swinging in my hands and I ended up making three birdies.”

After a dicey front nine as a team, the U.S. girls recovered as a team to shoot 6-under on their second nine. That jumped them from fifth place just an hour earlier into the top spot.

“I think they all kind of found their rhythm and the putts started to drop,” said U.S. coach Lauren Giesecke. “Things just worked out for us.”

Japan also combined to shoot 6-under as a team, paced by Yamashita’s five-birdie day.

More information about the TOYOTA Junior Golf World Cup Supported by JAL and be found online at WJGTC.org, including a video library that includes interviews with former World Cup participants.

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BOYS TEAM STANDINGS

1. South Africa 208-199=407 (-19)
2. Spain 204-204=408 (-18)
3. Japan 208-205=413 (-13)
4. United States 208-207=415 (-11)
5. Thailand 216-203=419 (-7)
6. Sweden 213-207=420 (-6)
7. Argentina 210-212=422 (-4)
8. Colombia 217-206=423 (-3)
9. Philippines 216-209=425 (-1)
10. Australia 215-212=427 (+1)
11. Switzerland 214-216=430 (+4)
12. Canada 212-219=431 (+5)
13. Mexico 221-214=435 (+9)
14. Denmark 223-213=436 (+10)
15. Uganda 233-241=474 (+48)

BOYS INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

t1. Gustav Andersson, Sweden 66-66=132 (-10)
t1. Abel Gallegos, Argentina 66-66=132 (-10)
3. Albert Boneta, Spain 66-67=133 (-9)
t4. Christo Lamprecht, South Africa 67-68=135 (-7)
t4. Samuel Simpson, South Africa 70-65=135 (-7)
6. Yuta Sugiura, Japan 69-67=136 (-6)
t7. Jose Luis Ballester, Spain 69-68=137 (-5)
t7. William Moll, United States 67-70=137 (-5)
t7. Simon Correa, Colombia 70-67=137 (-5)
t7. Martin Vorster, South Africa 71-66=137 (-5)
t11. Alex Vogelsong, United States 71-67=138 (-4)
t28. John Keefer, United States 73-70=143 (+1)
t36. Tyler Wilkes, United States 70-74=144 (+2)

GIRLS TEAM STANDINGS

1. United States 143-138=281 (-7)
2. Japan 144-138=282 (-6)
t3. Mexico 140-144=284 (-4)
t3. Sweden 143-141=284 (-4)
5. Spain 144-141=285 (-3)
6. Australia 146-142=288 (E)
7. Korea 146-144=290 (+2)
8. South Africa 149-142=291 (+3)
9. Colombia 149-148=297 (+9)

GIRLS INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

t1. Rose Zhang, United States 71-68=139 (-5)
t1. Siwoo Chung, Korea 70-69=139 (-5)
t3. Cassie Porter, Australia 71-70=141 (-3)
t3. Carla Tejedo, Spain 69-72=141 (-3)
t5. Miyu Yamashita, Japan 72-68=142 (-2)
t5. Elsa Svensson, Sweden 70-72=142 (-2)
t5. Cory Lopez, Mexico 70-72=142 (-2)
t5. Isabella Fierro, Mexico 70-72=142 (-2)
t5. Akie Iwai, Japan 72-70=142 (-2)
t5. Tsubasa Kajitani, Japan 72-70=142 (-2)
t5. Ester Fagersten, Sweden 73-69=142 (-2)
13. Sadie Englemann, United States 75-70=145 (+1)
t18. Michaela Morard, United States 72-76=148 (+4)

 

ANOTHER FAST START FOR SPAIN AT TOYOTA JUNIOR GOLF WORLD CUP

Boys sprint out to 9-under par first round; both U.S. squads tied for 2nd

Full scoring: golfstat.com/home.html

TOYOTA CITY, Japan (June 18, 2019) – With Albert Boneta’s 5-under-par 66 leading a trio of scores in the 60s, Spain’s boys once again set the early pace Tuesday in the opening round of the 27th TOYOTA Junior Golf World Cup Supported by JAL.

Teammates David Puig and Jose Luis Ballester each added 69s to propel Spain to a team total of 9-under-par 204, good for a four-shot advantage over host Japan, South Africa and the United States.

“Typically Spain has really good players, both guys and girls,” said U.S. coach Nick Clinard. “It doesn’t surprise me to see them shoot 9-under today. I thought it was pretty benign conditions, pretty soft.”

William Moll (Houston) led the U.S. effort with a 67, going bogey-free over his last 13 holes to lurk one stroke behind co-leaders Boneta, Argentina’s Abel Gallegos and Sweden’s Gustav Andersson.

“I hit the ball really well,” said Moll, who has signed to play for Vanderbilt this fall. “I could have made a few more putts – I was hitting a lot of greens and hitting it really close. It was still a good score, but I could have dropped a few more putts.”

Tyler Wilkes (Tampa, Fla.) was next with a 1-under-par 71, while Alex Vogelsong (Palm City, Fla.) carded a 72 and John Keefer (San Antonio) shot 74.

Mexico used some late fireworks to take the lead in the girls’ division, as both Isabella Fierro and Cory Lopez each went birdie/birdie to finish off matching 70s that pushed them to a three-shot lead over Sweden and the United States.

The Mexican duo combined to record five birdies over Tuesday’s final four holes, their team score of 4-under 140 separating from a packed leaderboard.

U.S. coach Lauren Giesecke said her players “left a couple of putts out there that I’m sure they want back, but overall it was a great first round.”

Rose Zhang (Irvine, Calif.) carded a 1-under-par 71, leaving her two shots behind individual leader Carla Tejedo of Spain. Michaela Morard (Huntsville, Ala.) was another shot behind after a 72; Sadie Englemann (Austin, Texas) posted a 75.

The competition uses a format similar to U.S. college golf, with each boys’ team counting the three best scores among its four players each day. In the girls’ division, each team counts the two best scores among three.

The TOYOTA Junior Golf World Cup, now in its 27th edition, is the final destination of a process that begins with 73 national teams entered in regional qualifiers across six continents.

The boys’ field features 15 teams competing for the championship, while nine teams advanced to the girls’ finals.

“We finished very good, 9-under par, but we haven’t done anything yet,” said Spain coach Yago Beamonte, who last year watched his squad shoot 10-under on the first day.

The Spaniards took a seven-shot lead into the final day, but were undone when Denmark’s Rasmus Hojgaard shot a 64 and twin brother Nicolai carded a 67.

Boneta played his last four holes in 4-under par, including an eagle holeout from a greenside bunker at the par-5 16th hole.

“I played the whole round well, but I didn’t make putts on the front,” Boneta said.

Mexico’s girls, meantime, flipped the day’s script on the final two holes. They stood in the middle of the leaderboard until Fierro birdied her last two holes at Nos. 8 and 9. Minutes later, Lopez came through and duplicated the finish.

“Our team is good,” said Lopez, the reigning Mexican Women’s Amateur champion. “We’re all friends. I think it really helps because we can communicate with each other and compete with each other.”

More information about the TOYOTA Junior Golf World Cup Supported by JAL and be found online at WJGTC.org, including a video library that includes interviews with former World Cup participants.

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BOYS TEAM STANDINGS

1. Spain 204 (-9)
t2. Japan 208 (-5)
t2. South Africa 208 (-5)
t2. United States 208 (-5)
5. Argentina 210 (-3)
6. Canada 212 (-1)
7. Sweden 213 (E)
8. Switzerland 214 (+1)
9. Australia 215 (+2)
t10. Thailand 216 (+3)
t10. Philippines 216 (+3)
12. Colombia 217 (+4)
13. Mexico 221 (+8)
14. Denmark 223 (+10)
15. Uganda 233 (+20)

BOYS INDIVIDUAL STANDINGS

t1. Albert Boneta, Spain 66 (-5)
t1. Gustav Andersson, Sweden 66 (-5)
t1. Abel Gallegos, Argentina 66 (-5)
t4. Christo Lamprecht, South Africa 67 (-4)
t4. Tsubasa Ukita, Japan 67 (-4)
t4. William Moll, United States 67 (-4)
7. Hayden Hopewell, Australia 68 (-3)
t8. Yuta Sugiura, Japan 69 (-2)
t8. David Puig, Spain 69 (-2)
t8. Jose Luis Ballester, Spain 69 (-2)
t8. Christopher Vandette, Canada 69 (-2)

GIRLS TEAM STANDINGS

1. Mexico 140 (-4)
t2. Sweden 143 (-1)
t2. United States 143 (-1)
t4. Japan 144 (E)
t4. Spain 144 (E)
t6. Korea 146 (+2)
t6. Australia 146 (+2)
t8. Colombia 149 (+5)
t8. South Africa 149 (+5)

GIRLS INDIVIDUAL STANDINGS

1. Carla Tejedo, Spain 69 (-3)
t2. Siwoo Chung, Korea 70 (-2)
t2. Elsa Svensson, Sweden 70 (-2)
t2. Cory Lopez, Mexico 70 (-2)
t2. Isabella Fierro, Mexico 70 (-2)
t6. Rose Zhang, United States 71 (-1)
t6. Cassie Porter, Australia 71 (-1)
t8. Akie Iwai, Japan 72 (E)
t8. Tsubasa Kajitani, Japan 72 (E)
t8. Michaela Morard, United States 72 (E)

 

FUTURE STARS READY FOR 27th TOYOTA JUNIOR GOLF WORLD CUP

2019 entrants seek to follow in footsteps of Rose, Stenson, Hovland

TOYOTA CITY, Japan (June 17, 2019) – Five years ago, Viktor Hovland was part of a Norway foursome that captured the TOYOTA Junior Golf World Cup Supported by JAL, rallying to overtake Venezuela and the United States on the final day.

Hovland represented Norway twice more before moving on to Oklahoma State, where he helped the Cowboys to the 2018 men’s college championship and later captured the U.S. Amateur. Sunday at Pebble Beach, he broke Jack Nicklaus’ 59-year-old record for lowest amateur score in a U.S. Open.

On Tuesday, the TOYOTA Junior Golf World Cup returns for its 27th edition, as a new generation of talent sets out on a path where Hovland, six former major champions and dozens of current tour professionals have walked before.

“Some of the best players in the world have been here,” said South Africa’s Martin Vorster, whose 61 in last year’s final round rewrote the tournament record.

That list also includes former world No.1 Justin Rose, who owns both a U.S. Open title and Olympic gold medal. He tied for third at Pebble Beach on Sunday in a group that also include Jon Rahm, another TOYOTA Junior Golf World Cup alumni.

Others include Henrik Stenson, the 2013 Open Championship winner and newest addition to the tournament’s hall of fame, along with major winners Danny Willett (2016 Masters), Charl Schwartzel (2011 Masters) and Louis Oosthuizen (2010 Open Championship).

“You look at what they achieved, and they were in the exact same position as we are,” said Vorster. “It just gives you that little bit of motivation to believe you can do what they’ve done.”

Denmark is the defending boys’ champion in the 72-hole team competition, while host Japan seeks to go back-to-back on the girls’ side. On both sides, the United States has a chance to claim a third title in a four-year span.

“For a lot of these players, the first time they’ve really played international golf is when they come to Japan to play in this tournament,” said tournament committee Chairman William Kerdyk. "We’ve seen many players who have taken this event and used it as a steppingstone for future success.”

Kerdyk noted that at the start of 2019, 28 of the top 100 players in the men’s world rankings were former participants.

“It’s really an honor to be selected to an event where so many of their past people have been so successful,” said Team USA’s Rose Zhang.

This week’s event is the final destination of a process that begins with nearly 70 national teams entered in regional qualifiers across six continents. The boys’ field features 15 teams competing for the championship, while nine teams advanced to the girls’ final.

The competition uses a format similar to U.S. college golf, with each boys’ team counting the three best scores among its four players each day. In the girls’ division, each team will count the two best scores among three. Chukyo Golf Club will serve as host for the 15th consecutive year.

David Puig and Jose Luis Ballster, part of a Spanish quartet that was overtaken by Denmark on the final day a year ago, are back in hopes of taking care of unfinished business. Both are among the top 65 of the World Amateur Golf Ranking and have combined for five victories in 2019.

Vorster placed fifth in last year’s individual competition, helping South Africa to a fifth-place team finish, and won this year’s Western Province Match Play in his homeland. He’s joined by teammate Samuel Simpson, winner of the All-Africa Juniors and South Africa Boys U19s.

Team USA is led by Alex Vogelsong, an Auburn signee who recently won the Terra Cotta Invitational in Florida.

Among the girls, Zhang is 15th in the world amateur rankings and also holds the distinction of playing in a major championship before coming to Japan. She tied for 55th at the U.S. Women’s Open three weeks ago in South Carolina.

“Once I played with the pros, I knew my level still has a long way to go,” the California native said. “But coming into this week, I’m just looking forward to playing with the best (junior) players from different countries.”

Mexico also is expected to be strong with Isabella Fierro, a former winner of the North & South Invitational who will play collegiately at Oklahoma State, and reigning Mexican Women’s Amateur titleholder Cory Lopez.

Leading Japan’s title defense will be Tsubasa Kajitani, who placed second at the Australian Women’s Amateur in January and recently took fourth at the Kansai Women’s Amateur.

Live scoring will be provided throughout the event by Golfstat, accessible online at Golfstat.com.

More information about the TOYOTA Junior Golf World Cup Supported by JAL and be found online at WJGTC.org, including a video library that includes interviews with former World Cup participants.

 

STAGE SET FOR 27th TOYOTA JUNIOR GOLF WORLD CUP

Denmark boys, Japan girls defend their titles at Chukyo GC

TOYOTA CITY, Japan (June 10, 2019) – The Spanish duo of David Puig and Jose Luis Ballester, both inside the top 65 of the World Amateur Golf Ranking, headline the field as 87 of the world’s best junior golfers arrive next week for the TOYOTA Junior Golf World Cup Supported by JAL.

Alex Vogelsong, a recent winner of the Terra Cotta Invitational, seeks to lead the United States to a third victory in the past four editions when competition tees off June 18 at Chukyo Golf Club in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture.

Team USA also features the top player in the girls’ competition, as Rose Zhang stands 15th among the world’s top women amateurs regardless of age. Mexico’s Isabella Fierro also is among the WAGR’s top 30.

Denmark is the defending boys’ champion in the 72-hole team competition, while host Japan seeks to go back-to-back on the girls’ side.

“The quality of play in our participants continues to rise with each passing year,” said tournament committee Chairman William Kerdyk. “On behalf of all those who work so hard to make this event a success, we are proud to once again present junior golf’s finest international team competition.”

The TOYOTA Junior Golf World Cup Supported by JAL, now in its 27th edition, is the final destination of a process that begins with nearly 70 national teams entered in regional qualifiers across six continents.

The boys’ field features 15 teams competing for the world championship, while nine teams advanced to the girls’ finals.

The competition uses a format similar to U.S. college golf, with each boys’ team counting the three best scores among its four players each day. In the girls’ division, each team will count the two best scores among three.

A half-dozen former TOYOTA Junior Golf World Cup participants have gone on to win major champions, most recently England’s Danny Willett at the 2016 Masters. This year, 2013 Open Championship winner Henrik Stenson will be added to the tournament’s hall of fame.

Previous major winners include South Africa’s Trevor Immelman (2008 Masters), Louis Oosthuizen (2010 Open Championship) and Charl Schwartzel (2011 Masters), along with 2013 U.S. Open winner and reigning Olympic gold medalist Justin Rose of England.

“It is exciting to see so many of our former participants reach the highest levels in the game,” said committee Vice Chairman Eiji Tagashira. “And with the 2020 Olympics just on the horizon, some of those teeing up in Tokyo will have gotten their first taste of representing their country at the TOYOTA Junior Golf World Cup Supported by JAL.”

Puig has won three tournaments in 2019, including the Madrid Open Amateur and a six-shot romp at the Barcelona Amateur. Now ranked No.46 by the WAGR, he also placed ninth at the prestigious Sage Valley Invitational in South Carolina.

Ballester, ranked 64th, owns two wins this year and was second behind Puig at the Barcelona Amateur. He also took runner-up honors at the Junior Orange Bowl Invitational back in January.

Vogelsong, a Floridian set to play collegiately at Auburn this fall, finally captured the first victory of his career by winning a playoff for the Terra Cotta Invitational in Florida. Ranked No.98, he also placed third at the Junior Orange Bowl International.

South Africa’s Martin Vorster returns for his second TOYOTA Junior Golf World Cup, earning a share of fifth among individuals last year while helping South Africa to a fifth-place team finish. He won the Western Province Match Play in his homeland and placed fourth at this year’s All-Africa Juniors Challenge.

Teammate Samuel Simpson, meantime, won the All-Africa Juniors along with the South Africa Boys U19 Championship and last year’s Bobby Locke Open.

Denmark’s title defense will be led by August Thor Host, who placed seventh at the Junior Orange Bowl Invitational.

Other countries in the boys’ field are Argentina, Australia, Canada, Colombia, Philippines, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand and Uganda.

On the girls’ side, Zhang arrives off her first appearance in the U.S. Women’s Open, where she made the cut and tied for 55th. She’s a former winner of the Junior PGA Championship (2017) and PING Invitational (2018), and recently was runner-up at the Thunderbird International.

Fierro, ranked No.28, recently won the Mexican Girls’ Junior and is a former champion of the prestigious North & South Women’s Amateur in North Carolina. She will play collegiately at Oklahoma State this fall.

Mexico also will be represented by Cory Lopez, this year’s Women’s Mexican Amateur titleholder and a former winner of the Major Champions Invitational in Florida.

Leading Japan’s title defense will be Tsubasa Kajitani, who placed second at the Australian Women’s Amateur in January and recently took fourth at the Kansai Women’s Amateur.

Rounding out the girls’ field will be Australia, Colombia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain and Sweden.

Live scoring will be provided throughout the event by Golfstat, accessible online at Golfstat.com.
More information about the TOYOTA Junior Golf World Cup Supported by JAL and be found online at WJGTC.org, including a video library that includes interviews with former World Cup participants.

 

USA Toyota Junior Golf World Cup Teams Announced 

NORMAN, Okla. – The boys and girls United States teams have been announced for the 2019 Toyota Junior Golf World Cup. The event will be held at Chukyo Golf Club’s Ishino Course in Toshitomo-cho Fukada, Toyota-shi, Japan June 18-21.

The boys team will consist of John Keefer, William Moll, Alex Vogelsong, and Tyler Wilkes. Auburn head coach Nick Clinard will coach the team. The Americans are looking to win their eighth overall Toyota Cup.

Keefer was a second-team Rolex Junior All-America selection in 2018 and played on the West Team in the Wyndham Cup. He won the 2017 AJGA Sergio and Angela Garcia Foundation Junior Championship, 2017 TJGT Texas Junior Masters, and the 2016 AJGA UA Jordan Spieth Qualifier. Keefer signed with Baylor.

From Houston, Texas, Moll was the 2017 Junior Jones Cup Champion and was a member of the 2018 USA Junior Ryder Cup Team. He was a first-team Rolex Junior All-American in 2018 and honorable mention selection in 2017. Moll represented the West in the 2018 Wyndham Cup. He signed with Vanderbilt.

Vogelsong, a native of Palm City, Fla., was selected as the 2018 Sun Sentinel Golfer of the Year. He was a 2017 Rolex Junior Golf Honorable Mention All-America selection. An Auburn signee, Vogelsong is currently ranked #143 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking.

Wilkes hails from Tampa, Fla. He was named 2018 Florida State Golf Association Junior Player of the Year. Wilkes has claimed first place at the 2019 AJGA Sean Foley Performance Center at EaglesDream Junior Championship, 2018 AJGA Jim Bell Memorial Junior, the 2018 Orlando International Junior Championship, and the 2017 and ’18 Florida State Junior Boys Championship.

The girls team will consist of Sadie Englemann, Michaela Morard, and Rose Zhang. Grand Canyon women’s head coach Lauren Giesecke will head the coaching duties for the team. Team USA looks to win its third Toyota Cup title.

An Austin, Texas native, Englemann is a returning member from last year’s Team USA when she finished eighth at the Junior World Cup. She was a first-team Rolex Junior All-America selection in 2018 and the STPGA Player of the Year. Last year Englemann won the Shanshan Feng Girls Invitational and was runner-up at both the PING Invitational and Thunderbird International Junior.

Morard is a four-time Rolex Junior All-America selection. She was named to the 2018 USA Today All USA Girls Golf Team. A six-time winner on the AJGA circuit, Morard is a three-time state junior champion and two-time state stroke-play champion.

Zhang has previously represented the United States in the Junior Ryder Cup, PING Junior Solheim Cup, and the Evian Junior Cup. She finished tied for 17th at the inaugural Augusta Women’s Amateur. In 2018, Zhang won the PING Invitational, the Swinging Skirts AJGA Invitational and the ANA Junior Inspiration and in 2017 won the Junior PGA Championship and Junior America’s Cup. She is ranked 24th in the World Amateur Golf Ranking.

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About the GCAA:
Established in 1958, the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) is the professional organization of golf coaches. The GCAA's mission is to support its member coaches by creating educational opportunities, providing resources, and promoting its members with the purpose of enhancing their overall performance as coaches, mentors, and teachers. The GCAA also recognizes the excellence and achievements of its members and their student-athletes in academic, athletic and civic endeavors.

About the WGCA:
The Women’s Golf Coaches Association (WGCA), founded in 1983, is a non-profit organization representing women’s collegiate golf coaches. The WGCA was formed to encourage the playing of college golf for women in correlation with a general objective of education and in accordance with the highest tradition of intercollegiate competition. Today, the WGCA represents over 500 coaches throughout the U.S. and is dedicated to educating, promoting and recognizing both its members and the student-athletes they represent.