Lewis Hoath (Emerald Lakes) and Suenghui (Kerri) Bong have been crowned champions of the 2017 Greg Norman Junior Masters after a fantastic final day on the Gold Coast.
A total of 192 players converged upon Palmer Gold Coast and Palmer Colonial over four days, with 84 juniors making the cut on Thursday.
17-year-old Hoath fired par rounds of 71-72-71 respectively and finished with a six-under 66 to win by three strokes from Zach Maxwell of Virginia.
Hoath’s final round included seven birdies and a single blemish bogey on his opening hole, in what can only be described as a terrific few months for the young Emerald Lakes member.
Since October, Hoath has won the Adam Scott Junior Classic, Hills Australian Junior Open, Coolangatta-Tweed Heads Classic, and was narrowly defeated in a playoff for the Ian-Baker Finch Classic. Now he can add the Greg Norman Junior Masters trophy to his cabinet, alongside the likes of Adam Scott, Cameron Smith, and Steven Bowditch.
“I was feeling good (coming into the event). Confidence was on a high. I’ve had four wins in my last five events. This is definitely the biggest tournament I have won,” said Hoath.
“My coach was watching me play then he left and I had three straight birdies. I ended up having five-under on the back nine. It was a good finish after an opening bogey.”
By virtue of his win, Hoath receives automatic acceptance into the 2018 Isuzu Queensland Open at The Brisbane Golf Club.
“I am looking forward to playing my first professional event at the Isuzu Queensland Open, I lost out in a playoff this year.”
In the Girls’ championship, Kerri Bong, a student at Hills Golf Academy, never relinquished her lead and started the final round with a seven-shot advantage.
The 14-year-old recorded rounds of 68-71-73 respectively with a final bogey free three-under 70 to secure a seven-shot win over Hye Park, of RACV Royal Pines.
“I was a little bit nervous out there. My coach helped me with my mindset and skill,” said Bong.
The win gives Bong an exemption to play in the 2018 ACTEW AGL Canberra Classic.
Burleigh Golf Club’s Ryan Stitt took out the 17 years & Under Boys’ Division with rounds of 74-71-70-71 for a 72-hole total of 286. Karen Kim, of RACV Royal Pines, fired rounds of 74-74-78-69 to finish with a 72-hole total of 295.
Reigning Katherine Kirk Classic champion Cassie Porter claimed the 15 Years & Under Girls’ Division, finishing with a strong four-under 69 for a total of 295. Zubair Firdaus, of Malaysia, picked up the 15 Years & Under Boys’ Division recording rounds of 70-73-68-72 to finish three-under the card.
Joung Park, from Burleigh Golf Club, won the 13 years & Under Boys’ Division with a total of 297 to win by 10 strokes over Brisbane’s Kaito Chiu. Sophie Yip, from Concord in NSW, won the 13 years & Under Girls’ Division with a total of 291, to win by 13 strokes over Justice Bosio of Caboolture.
Junior Golf Queensland would like to thank Rules Officials, Tournament Support Staff and sponsors, Palmer Golf Australia, Fayde Golf and Titleist for their support of the event.
Leader board:
17 Years & Under Boys: Click here
15 Years & Under Boys: Click here
13 Years & Under Boys: Click here
17 Years & Under Girls: Click here
15 Years & Under Girls: Click here
13 Years & Under Girls: Click here
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