National Squad member Ryan Ruffels has continued his excellent year by firing a final-round 69 to storm back and win the 2014 Callaway Junior World Golf championship at Torrey Pines in La Jolla, California.
Playing the South Course,16 year-old Ruffels carded rounds of 70-77 over the first two days of action before closing with a 67-69 effort.
The Victorian’s final round was tied for the best of the day and was just enough to keep distance from second-place finisher Chun An Yu of Taiwan, who shot 69-74-71-71.
The win follows Ruffels’ victories at the Riversdale Cup and Australian Junior Championships in Autumn. He is now ranked 44 on the World Amateur Golf Rankings.
The last Australian to win the same tournament was 2013 Vic Open winner Matt Giles in 2006. Prior to Giles, Jason Day was victorious in 2004.
Victorian junior Karl Vilips won the Boys 11-12 Age Division.
The Callaway Junior World Golf Championships is truly unique with a total field size exceeding 1000 golfers and representing an impressive number of countries and states.
Many Junior World champions have gone on to enjoy successful careers on the PGA and LPGA Tours, including Amy Alcott, Notah Begay, Brandie Burton, John Cook, Dorothy Delasin, Ernie Els, Phil Mickelson, Corey Pavin, Pat Perez, Joan Pitcock, Nick Price, Kim Shipman, Craig Stadler, David Toms and Tiger Woods.
By: Golf Australia