Coby puts on Clinic as Lee Hangs On
(12:30pm - Monday 11th July 2022)
Recently crowned NSW Junior Champion Coby Carruthers has put on a clinic to claim his second trophy in the space of three days with a dominant six shot victory at the Ballina Junior Masters.
After starting the final round with a two shot lead, the 17 Year Old flew out of the blocks with an eagle at the par-five 1st hole, quickly extending that lead to four. Five birdies and three bogies later, the in-form junior had signed for his second consecutive 68 to cruise to his first JNJG Masters Title.
Kade Webber (Stonecutters Ridge) tried hard on Monday but couldn't make the birdies needed to apply the pressure on Carruthers. A birdie at the first, followed by 16 straight pars and a bogey at the last, left the Sydney Junior with an even par 72 and solo second. Leon Li (St Michael's) recorded a Top 10 finish on the way to the Boys 14/15 Years Division, whilst Charlie Peng (Avondale) won the 12/13 Years Division with a birdie on the 1st playoff hole.
The Girls Division went right down to the wire, with overnight leader Rachel Lee (Avondale) making a final hole birdie (the 9th) to defeat the fast finishing Michelle Bang (Concord) by one stroke.
With Lee seemingly cruising to another JNJG title, the 14 Year Old was made to work hard by the 15 Year Old JNJG State Age Champion from Concord. A six shot swing in the space of seven holes, three birdies by Bang to three bogies by Lee, all of a sudden turned the Girls Division on it's head.
However Lee responded like champions do, rolling in a 15 footer on the 9th green (the Girls final hole) to defeat Bang by a shot. Hollie Fuller (Coffs Harbour) recorded a top-five finish as well as claiming the Girls 16/17 Years Division whilst Annalese McKee (Grafton) proved too strong in the Girls 12/13 Years Division.
Final Round Underway at Ballina
(8:00am - Monday 11th July 2022)
The final round of the 2022 Ballina Junior Masters is underway at Ballina Golf Club.
Can anyone catch overnight leaders Coby Carruthers (Concord) and Rachel Lee (Avondale)?
Carruthers, Lee Take Final Round Lead at Ballina
(4:00pm - Sunday 10th July 2022)
Rachel Lee (Avondale) and recently crowned NSW Junior Champion Coby Carruthers (Concord) will take the lead into the final round of the 2022 Ballina Junior Masters.
Lee played solid golf all day on the testing Ballina layout to open up a four shot lead over the chasing pack. A trio of girls share second and will join Lee in the final group, including Ann Jang (Toukley), Michelle Bang (Concord) and local hope Hollie Fuller (Coffs Harbour).
Early in the opening round it looked like the NSW Junior Champion was going to run away with the Boys Division. After starting with a birdie and a bogey, the 17 year old caught fire, rolling in 4 birdies and an eagle over the next five holes to get to six under par through seven and blow the tournament wide open. He couldn't quite keep that going, however a four under par 68 was good enough for a two shot lead!
Jacob Lamb (Bathurst) and Kade Webber (Stonecutters) will fancy their chances on chasing down the in-form Carruthers after firing matching two under par 70s, with a three shot gap back to a trio of boys in fourth.
ROUND 2 TEE TIMES - Presented by Tour Tee
The presentation will take place at 12:30pm, immediately following the final round.
2022 Ballina Junior Masters
(7:00am - Sunday 10th July 2022)
After Covid-19 caused the cancellation of the 2020 and 2021 Ballina Junior Masters, almost 70 juniors will back up from the gruelling NSW Junior Championships to contest the 2022 Ballina Junior Masters at Ballina Golf Club.
Almost 60 players will take part in the 36-Hole Ballina Junior Masters, with 10 young Northern Rivers locals also playing 5 and 9 Hole events contesting the Ballina Junior Open, part of the Northern Rivers OOM.
With the Boy and Girl Champion receiving direct entry into the 2022 Bonville Champion Trophy, a small but select field will tee it up at Ballina, with play to get underway just before 9:00am this morning.
Round 1 Tee Times - Presented by Tour Tee
Tee Times for Round 2 will be seeded, with all players to tee off between 6:45am and 7:45am on Monday morning.
