Date: June 22, 2007
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Aussies rally to finish third in Toyota World Junior

Australia put together a final day charge to claim third position at the Toyota World Junior Championship in Japan and as a result, an exemption into next year&aposs event. The Aussies started the day at Chukyo Golf Club in equal-sixth position, level with Mexico and seven shots behind New Zealand in third position. Knowing what was required, the team set about reeling in the deficit as all four players performed with poise and consistency. Matthew Giles (NSW) once again led from the front with a superb 69. The reigning World Junior Champion demonstrated why he is such a prodigious young talent, carding a combined tournament total of 278 to finish six-under the card and in a share of sixth position in the overall standings. Jason Scrivener (WA) meanwhile saved his best until last with a well crafted 68. The 17-year old had been unable to break the 70 barrier all week but certainly came through when it counted, carding the team&aposs best single-round score for the event. Daniel Nisbet (QLD) shot a final round 70 to finish at four-under and equal-ninth in the individual standings while Matthew Jager (WA), posted a 71 to complete Australia&aposs remarkable charge up the leaderboard. The Aussies finished 11-under overall, three strokes clear of Chinese Taipei but back of defending champion Norway (-20) and winners Sweden (-29). Norwegian ace Anders Kristiansen claimed overall individual honours with a score of 14-under. New Zealand, which shot an exceptional third round 204, faded on the final day with a 220 to finish in sixth position. Samuel Shin was the stand out performer for the Kiwis with a total of three-under, sitting outright 12th for individual honours. It is the first time Australia has competed in the event and the solid result underlines the continuous quality of Australian golfers competing on the world stage. Australian coach Peter Knight said, “The boys competed really well in the final round. For the first day this week all four players were healthy as two had been ill for the entire tournament. In a day of non-stop rain, our guys all shot par or better and showed the class of player that they are.” Final scores from the Toyota World Junior Championship -29: Sweden 201 204 211 207 = 823 -20: Norway 205 205 207 215 = 832 -11: Australia 210 210 214 207 = 841 -8: Chinese Taipei 216 207 207 214 = 844 -7: South Africa 212 213 207 213 = 845 -5: New Zealand 210 213 204 220 = 847 -3: Japan 207 216 212 214 = 849, United States 216 214 209 210 = 849 +2: Mexico 211 208 215 220 = 854 +4: Canada 210 213 219 214 = 856 +10: Argentina 215 217 211 219 = 862 +20: Scotland 212 212 222 226 = 872 +26: Venezuela 225 218 215 219 = 878 +30: Singapore 219 218 222 224 = 882 Individual Australian results -6: Matthew Giles (NSW) 69 70 70 69 = 278 -4: Daniel Nisbet (QLD) 70 69 71 70 = 280 +1: Jason Scrivener (WA) 71 73 73 68 = 285 +9: Matthew Jager (WA) 77 71 74 71 = 293