Norris and Hopewell Win in the Wet
(8:30pm - Friday 5th October 2018)
In a week where it seemed impossible for 72 holes to be played due to the rain sweeping across NSW, the weather Gods smiled on Cypress Lakes and West Australian pair Kathryn Norris and Hayden Hopewell emerged from the gloomy skies to win the 2018 JNJG International Junior Classic.
For 17 year old Norris, who has been coming over from Perth for five straight years to play in an event she described as "the best junior tournament I have played anywhere in the world", she was finally rewarded with an incredible performance on the most difficult of weeks. In the bleak, wet and windy conditions, Norris shot four straight under par rounds to run away with the tournament late on Friday to defeat Belinda Ji (Concord) by nine shots.
Perhaps fittingly, Norris made a birdie on the last (her 16th of the tournament to go with an eagle as well) as the constant rain formed a stream which started to creep across the 18th green to finish with a final round 71. In doing so, the West Australian became the first girl to break par in all four rounds since the tournament moved to Cypress Lakes five years ago.
Concord junior Ji had a welcome return to form, her best result in a JNJG major since winning the 2016 NSW Junior Championships as a 14 year old. Like many others, Ji battled hard on Friday as the rain set in but responded well with late birdies on the 14th and 16th to wrap up second place. Queensland pair Cassie Porter and Hye Park rounded out the top four, finishing ahead of Steph Kyriacou (St Michaels) who signed off from her JNJG career with a fifth place finish.
Girls Scores - Click Here
Whilst Norris was running away with the Girls Division, the Boys section was going down to the wire with as many as five players a chance of taking the title on the back nine as the rain set in. But despite the horrible conditions which almost became unplayable, the boys impressed with some sensational golf.
Round one leader Sam Slater (Queensland) played well all week to take out the Boys 17 Years Division, finishing in a tie for 4th with Tom Heaton (The Australian). For a while, it looked as if it would be New Zealander Kazumi Kobori who would make it back to back Australian Order of Merit titles. After winning the Victorian Junior Boys last week, Kobori flew out of the blocks to make the turn in three under par and shoot clear at the top of the leaderboard.
As the conditions worsened on the back nine, the Christchurch junior ground out seven straight pars to maintain his place at the top of the leaderboard. Despite the rain, pars weren't enough to stay clear of the chasing pack as Harrison Crowe (St Michaels) and Hayden Hopewell (Western Australia) were making a charge. Crowe picked up birdies on the 11th, 14th and 16th to post the clubhouse lead at three under par, but Hopewell answered with his own birdies on 14 and 16 to join Kobori at the top on five under.
In teaming rain, the New Zealander leaked his approach shot on 17 ever so slightly to the right, watching in agony as the ball trickled down the slope and into the water. Hopewell, who finished second to Kobori last week in Victoria, took full advantage. Rock solid pars on the 17th and 18th were more than enough to maintain the two shot buffer and win the JNJG International Classic just two years after winning the Sub-Junior International Classic at Cessnock in 2016.
The 2017 Sub-Junior International Champion also had success at Cypress Lakes, as West Australian Jordan Jung won the 15 Years Division by four shots over Jeffrey Guan (The Australian).
Boys Scores - Click Here
Cold Wet and Windy for Final Round
(8:00am - Friday 5th October)
Despite plenty of overnight rain, the final round of the JNJG International Junior Classic got underway on time on Friday morning. It will be a cold, wet and windy finish, and the champion is going to earn the trophy out there this afternoon.
Live Scores - Click Here
West Australians Singing in the Rain
(7:00pm - Thursday 4th October 2018)
On a day where rain swept across the Cypress Lakes layout for 12 straight hours, overnight leaders Hayden Hopewell (Western Australia) and Kathryn Norris (Western Australia) fought off numerous challenges and will take the 54 hole lead into the final round of the JNJG International Junior Classic.
Hopewell was steady in the difficult conditions which saw many players slip back on moving day. Birdies on the 1st and 17th were offset by three bogies, as the West Australian held onto the lead by one shot. The big mover on moving day was New Zealander Kazuma Kobori who rocketed up the leaderboard with an unbelievable five under par 67 in the horrendous conditions. Kobori made seven birdies to climb into second place, one shot clear of Sam Slater (Queensland) and Tom Heaton (The Australian).
In the Girls Division, Kathryn Norris extended her lead to three shots after her third straight under par round. Norris had five birdies in her round of 71, with Concord's Belinda Ji moving into second place after an even par 72. Lion Higo (Queensland) and Steph Kyriacou (St Michael's) round out the final pairing.
PLEASE NOTE - All tee times have been moved forward 15 minutes due to the expected wet weather tomorrow. The first tee time is now 6:00am.
Round 3 Scores - Click Here
Round 4 Draw - Click Here
Round Three Underway Depsite Overnight Rain
(9:00am - Thursday 4th October 2018)
The third round of the JNJG International Junior Classic at Cypress Lakes got underway without delay on Thursday, despite plenty of rain in the NSW Hunter Valley.
How will West Australian pair Hayden Hopewell and Kathryn Norris handle the pressure of the 36-Hole lead and wet conditions?
Live Scores - Click Here
West Australians on Top at Cypress
(6:45pm - Wednesday 3rd October 2018)
WA pair Hayden Hopewell and Kathryn Norris have taken the 36-Hole lead at the Jack Newton International Junior Classic on a day full of hot scores at Cypress Lakes.
With plenty of rain on the horizon, a good second round was a must and the in-form Norris did just that, storming to the lead late on the day with an incredible back nine. After starting on the 10th tee and making the turn at two over par, Norris caught fire on the front nine. The 17 year old made birdie on both par 3s and wasn't done there, making an eagle three on the 6th and backed that up with another birdie on the 7th. Norris finished with a 31 on the front nine, to pinch the lead from ovenight leader Steph Kyriacou.
After sharing the overnight lead in the Boys Division, Hayden Hopewell (Western Australia) took the solo lead after an even par 72. Hopewell had three birdies and three bogies on Wednesday to finish the day one shot clear of Sam Slater (Queensland). The best of the locals was Tom Heaton (The Australian), who moved into a share of third with Tyler Duncan after a three under par 69.
The shot of the day belonged to Canadian Kaiden Nicholson who scored his first ever tournament hole in one on the 5th!
Round 2 Scores - Click Here
Round 3 Draw - Click Here
Round Two Underway at Cypress
(6:30pm - Wednesday 3rd October 2018)
Overnight leader Steph Kyriacou (St Michael's) will look to use a morning tee time and extend her lead at the JNJG International at Cypress Lakes. Hayden Hopewell (Western Australia) and Sam Slater (Queensland) share the lead in the boys, with players now out on course!
Live Scores - Click Here
Round 2 Draw - Click Here
Kyriacou Takes Control at International
(7:00pm - Tuesday 2nd October 2018)
Steph Kyriacou (St Michael's) has taken a giant step to finishing her junior career in style, taking the lead after the opening day at the JNJG International Junior Classic at Cypress Lakes. The 17 Year Old shot a five under par 67 to take a three shot lead over NSW team mate Sophie Yip (Concord).
You can watch her post round video on the JNJG Facebook Page Here - Steph's Round One Interview
There is an international flavour in the Boys Event, with the top four spots held by players from Queensland, Western Australia, New Zealand and Japan. Sam Slater (Queensland) shot a 68 in the calm morning conditions to hold the lead and wasn't joined until late in the day by Hayden Hopewell (Western Australia). Kazuma Kobori (New Zealand) and Kyosuke Nagano (Japan) also impressed on day one with round of 68 and 69.
NBN News also came out to cover the first day of action, and you can watch that recap here - Round One Video
Round 1 Scores - Click Here
Round 2 Draw - Click Here
Round One Underway at Cypress
(6:15am - Tuesday 2nd October 2018)
The 2018 JNJG International is underway, with 208 players set to tackle the beautiful Cypress Lakes Layout in the NSW Hunter Valley. With 176 players also playing at Cessnock in the 14 Years and Under Division (click here), the tournament is the biggest junior event in the country!
Live Scoring - Click Here
Round 1 Tee Times - Click Here
Long Drive and Tournament Registration Underway
(1:00pm - Monday 1st October 2018)
The traditional long drive competition is underway on the driving range at Cypress Lakes Golf and Country Club, with tournament registration also open.
Come and check-in for the tournament, get some awesome Callaway Golf Product in your registration pack and see your tee times for the opening two rounds!
The opening ceremony will also be held at Cypress Lakes Golf and Country Club from 5:30pm.
Round 1 Draw Cypress Lakes - Click Here
Round 2 Draw Cypress Lakes - Click Here
Tournament Preview
(Thursday 27th September 2018)
For the second straight year, a record field will head to the NSW Hunter Valley for the Jack Newton International Junior Classic, beginning on Tuesday 2nd October at Cypress Lakes Golf and Country Club and Cessnock Golf Club. Almost 400 players will travel from around the world to take part in the event, with some of New South Wales’ finest to be tested by the World’s best.
More than 210 players will compete at Cypress Lakes Golf and Country Club in the 15-17 Years Division, whilst a capacity field of 180 players will take part at Cessnock in the 14 Years and Under Sub-Junior Division. 56 of those players at Cessnock will compete in the brand new 11 Years and Under Division, a division created at the tournament for the very first time due to the ever-increasing popularity of kids in those younger age divisions.
The International, brainchild of Australian golfing stalwart and JNJG founder Jack Newton, was first held in 1986 and provides a competitive environment for the most promising talent from right around the globe.
Teams will once again be flying in from far and wide with players from Canada, Hawaii, Japan, New Caledonia, New Zealand, South Africa and South Korea looking to take the trophy back home with them. Every state and territory in Australia is also represented, with players making the trip from all corners of the country to compete in the 72-hole 4-day tournament.
The tournament is a permanent fixture on the junior golfing calendar, holding both Australia Junior Order of Merit and World Amateur Golf Ranking Status, and is proudly supported by major sponsor, Callaway Golf South Pacific.
“The Jack Newton International Junior Classic is an important stepping stone for many of Australia’s young golfers,” said tournament host and founder, Jack Newton. “This event has been pivotal in founding the careers of Australia’s well-known international golfing stars providing them with a platform to make a successful transition into the senior ranks,” finished Newton.
Aaron Baddeley won the Jack Newton International in 1998, just two months prior to securing his first Australian Open victory as an amateur. Baddeley is a winner on the PGA tour and an enthusiastic supporter of junior golf around the world. Other international superstars that claimed the Jack Newton International Junior Classic in their junior days are current PGA / European Tour Players Steven Bowditch, Andrew Dodt, Brett Drewitt, and Ryan Ruffels (2-time Sub Junior Champion). Current LPGA Tour stars Minjee Lee, Su-Hyun Oh and Thidipa Suwannapura were all recent champions in the event whilst Ladies European Tour Champions Nikki Garrett and Rebecca Artis and multiple Japanese Tour winners Brendan Jones and Nikki Campbell also tasted success at the Jack Newton International Junior Classic.
Defending champions Louis Dobbelaar (Queensland) and Grace Kim (Avondale GC – NSW) have followed up victories at last year’s International Junior Classic with fantastic seasons, culminating in Kim being selected to represent Australia at the 2018 Youth Olympics. With the Olympics being held in Argentina at the same time, Kim won’t get a chance to defend her title at Cypress Lakes but will be striving for gold in Buenos Aires instead.
Dobbelaar will also miss the chance to play at Cypress Lakes, with overseas commitments also getting in the way of his title defence at Cypress Lakes. Dobbelaar will be in the USA after receiving the prestigious Cam Smith Scholarship, getting a chance to spend a week and practice with PGA Tour Winner Cam Smith after a successful season on the PGA Tour.
The tournament begins on Monday 1st October with the annual long drive competition and tournament registration throughout the afternoon before all players are welcomed at the official Opening Ceremony which begins at 5:30pm at Cypress Lakes Golf and Country Club.
