Jackson Signs Off on Junior Career with Dramatic Victory
(5:30pm - Tuesday 12th April 2022)
Cam Jackson (The Lakes) has ended his JNJG Career in the best possible way, claiming the 2022 Illawarra Junior Masters with a dramatic victory at Kiama Golf Club. The 17 year old, who turns 18 on Friday, fired a final round 64 to defeat overnight leader Lucas Naumovski (NSW) by one shot.
Jackson's chances seemed gone when a bogey on the 10th dropped him to four over par for the tournament, some six shots off the lead. However four birdies in the final eight holes, including a clutch birdie on the 18th, saw the Bathurst local post the clubhouse lead at even par. Naumovski was also at level par playing the 18th, needing a birdie on the last two win the tournament outright.
After his second shot went long and onto the back fringe, two putts from a difficult position above the hole would have forced a playoff, however Naumovski wasn't able to get down in two, missing the par putt, giving Jackson the title.
After coming so close so many times in JNJG Events, it was a well deserved title for Jackson who claimed his first overall JNJG Title at his last attempt.
Ryan Wu (NSW) also picked up his first Masters Title, winning the 14-15 Years Division by three shots with fantastic rounds of 68 - 67. Bo Chung (Ryde Parramatta) proved too strong in the 12-13 Years Division, winning by one stroke from Harry Gourlay (Mollymook).
The Boys Under 11 Division went to local Charlie Kerr (Wollongong), firing a final round 71 to defeat Blake Cranston (Toukley) by two strokes.
Jang Cruises to Another Masters Title
(2:30pm - Tuesday 12th April 2022)
Ann Jang (Toukley) has cruised to another JNJG Title in the Illawarra Junior Masters at Kiama Golf Club. The 15 Year Old was as solid as ever, backing up her opening round of 68 with a one over par 70 to finish the tournament at even par and defeat Grace Lee (Concord) by four shots.
After starting the day with a four shot lead, Jang picked up a birdie on the first to maintain that buffer before turning into a par machine. Knowing that par was a good score on a very difficult golf course, the Central Coast star made eight straight pars to make the turn at one under par. Her only mistake of the day led to a double bogey on the 12th hole, before six more pars closed out the title in comfortable fashion.
Grace Lee (Concord) and Michelle Moon (NSW) matched Jang with one over par 70s on day two but couldn't close the gap, finishing in second and third place at four and five over par.
Camilla Kim (Lynwood) continues to impress, winning the 12-13 Years Division for the third straight tournament, whilst a young local stole the show in the Nett Division. With no other player finishing under their handicap for the tournament, Kiama Junior Sage Laird recorded the best round of her life to finish with a Nett 57 and nine under par total.
The Girls Under 11 Division went to Sherry Zou (Bonnie Doon), defeating Sophia Chau (Gold Creek) in a nail-biting finish.
Naumovski Goes Low with 63 at Kiama
(5:00pm - Monday 11th April 2022)
Lucas Naumovski (NSW GC) has shone on the opening day of the 2022 Illawarra Junior Masters, taking the lead with an incredible round of 63 at Kiama Golf Club.
The 17 Year Old Sydney-sider was the only boy to break par on the tricky par 66 Kiama layout, opening up a four shot lead with a spectacular putting display. Naumovski required just 24 putts on his way to the lowest round of his JNJG career, his round of three under par including four birdies and just the one dropped shot.
The chasing pack is a large one to say the least, with the next 21 players on the leaderboard separated by just four shots.
Luke Furlong (St Michaels), Ryan Richards (Pennant Hills), Sam Cascio (Wollongong) and Arki Valdy (The Australian) head that chasing pack at one over par, with plenty of big names lurking should the leader show any signs of nerves in the final round.
The highlight of the day belonged to Leon Li (St Michaels), with the 14 Year Old picking up an eagle on the 7th, followed by a hole-in-one just four holes later at the 11th!! When asked if he was excited about his ace on 11, the 14 year old replied with, "It was ok....I've already had three".
The leading Boys Division will tee off 12:45pm on Tuesday afternoon.
Ann Jang (Toukley) was equally impressive, firing a one under par 68 to lead the Girls Division by four shots. The Central Coast junior flew out of the blocks with an incredible front nine, making the turn at three under par. Two bogies on the back nine, including an untimely one on the 18th, gave the chasing pack just a sniff heading into the final round.
Jang leads good friends Michelle Bang (Concord) and Grace Lee (Concord), with Michelle Moon (NSW) and Irene Kaloudis (The Lakes) rounding out the top five.
The Girls Division will be out first in the morning, with the leaders getting underway just after 8:00am.
Junior Masters Underway at Kiama
(7:00am - Monday 11th April 2022)
Most eyes will be on Augusta on Monday morning, however almost 150 players will tee it up at Kiama Golf Club in the opening round of the 2022 Illawarra Junior Masters.
The draw for the second round of the Illawarra Junior Masters will be available at the end of play today.
2022 Illawarra Junior Masters
(1:00pm - Saturday 9th April 2022)
There's been plenty of rain across Sydney for much of the last three months, but the 2022 Illawarra Junior Masters will get underway on Monday morning at Kiama Golf Club.
The tournament, normally played over two venues, has been moved to Kiama with the sand-based course coping with the rain much better than Links Shell Cove which unfortunately remains closed.
With many of the states best juniors in Adelaide for the 2022 Australian Junior Championships and Junior Interstate Series, and nearly 100 academy athletes in Wagga Wagga for the Regional Academy Games, a smaller than usual field allowed JNJG the possibility of transferring the tournament to the one venue.
Despite more than 100mm in the last week alone falling on a already saturated golf course, the only impact on the tournament will be on the parents, with caddies and spectators likely walking the course with golf carts not in action.
With Defending Champions Jeffrey Guan (The Australian) and Charlotte Perkins (The Australian) spear-heading the NSW Junior Team in Adelaide, two new winners will put their name on the Illawarra Junior Masters Trophy, whilst also securing those elusive qualifying spots for the 2022 Bonville Champions Trophy.
Play begins at 6:45am on Monday morning, with the final groups set to begin at 12:45pm.
