SA state representatives Anthony Murdaca and Rachel Taylor have won the SA Golf 72-Hole Junior Open held at Mt Lofty and Thaxted Park Golf Clubs. In the Boy&aposs division, Murdaca (The Grange, handicap -1), who won the corresponding event last year held at Blackwood and Glenelg, completed an 8-shot victory from Thaxted Park&aposs Kieren Barratt with The Grange&aposs Jack Williams taking third position. Following a scratchy opening round 73 at Mt Lofty, Murdaca put himself back in contention with an excellent second round 3-under par 64 to ensure that he and Barratt were square heading into the third round held at Thaxted Park. Murdaca completed rounds of 72 and 75 at Thaxted for a four round total of 284, while Barratt couldn&apost quite repeat his excellent rounds of 69 and 68 at Mt Lofty, finishing with a 76 and 79 for a total of 292. Williams, who was a model of consistency over the first three days with rounds of 71, 71 and 72 also lost ground on the final day when carding an 80 to finish third on 294. In the Girl&aposs division, Mt Osmond&aposs Rachel Taylor completed a comfortable victory from Glenelg member&aposs Elysia Yap and Jenny Lee. While it was Yap who held the two-round advantage after completing rounds of 71 and 87 at Mt Lofty, it was Taylor who emerged triumphant following rounds of 86 and 77 at Thaxted Park. Her four round total of 323 (77, 83, 86,77) was enough for a five shot victory from Yap (71, 87, 81, 89 – 328), with last week&aposs winner at The Grange Jenny Lee finishing third following consistent rounds of 83, 84, 82 & 81 (330). The summer junior tournaments move onto Royal Adelaide with the national ranking Golf SA Junior Masters being held over 72-holes on Thursday 6 and Friday 7 January. For all scores from the Golf SA 72-Hole Junior Open at Mt Lofty and Thaxted Park, refer to the links below.
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