Clarke and Whitelock prevail in the Peter O'Malley Junior Masters
(7:00pm - Sunday 19th March 2023)
Harry Whitelock (Royal Canberra) has produced a spectacular final round -6 (65), to claim victory, while Sienna Clarke (St Michael's) notched another Junior Masters title to her name with a dominant performance over the weekend.
The final round began with several boys still in the hunt for a Junior Masters title. With a few reaching red figures on Saturday afternoon, it was all set up to be an exciting final round.
Ian Kim (St Michael's) quickly moved into the lead early in his round, with birdies in his first four holes and an eagle on the 9th. Whitelock replied to Kim's early move with three birdies of his own to conclude the front nine, putting him one shot behind Kim at the turn. It looked like Kim and Whitelock would continue their battle from last months Wagga Wagga Junior Masters, where the pair went toe to toe all weekend.
However, it was Whitelock's back nine that blew the rest of the field away. Chipping in on the 12th for the first of two back nine birdies to move into a commanding position. As a crowd gathered behind the 18th green, Whitelock closed in style, holing out from 100 yards for eagle to win by eight shots, and finishing the tournament -9 (68, 65).
Sienna Clarke began the final round in the same way she finished on Saturday. With some exciting golf, she extended her lead by four strokes with a birdie on the 4th hole. Clarke's only blip came towards the end of her back nine, unfortunately closing with two bogeys. However, it was quickly rectified with birdies on the 10th and 12th hole. The St Michael's junior was striding away from the rest of the field, with one else able to match her pace.
Fellow St Michael's junior, Ella Murray, bounced back from Saturday, moving up several spots and finishing second overall with a final round +1 (72). Although, Clarke was too far in front to be chased down on Sunday. Finishing with another birdie on the 17th, matching her first round score of -1 (70) and to win by eight shots for her second Junior Masters victory this season.
In the Boys U13 division, Blake Cranston (Toukley) won by one shot with a clutch birdie on his final hole. Noah Bricknell (Goulburn) broke par for the first time at a Junior Masters event, to claim the Boys 16 Years and Over division
Camilla Kim (The Australian) took out the Girls U13 division with another solid performance. Zoe Arcus' (Cromer) terrific final round moved her five spots up on the overall leaderboard as she finished the final round +1 (72) to win the Girls 14 & 15 Years.
Thanks to all Regional Academies for participating in the JNJG Academy Challenge this weekend. There were some superb scores over the weekend, and it came down right down to the wire with several teams in the mix late on Sunday afternoon. However, it was the South East Sports Academy (SESA) Team 1 consisting of Matilda Sullings, Noah Bricknell, Nelson Sargent and Callan Robertson, with a combined score of 433 over the weekend to win the 2023 JNJG Academy Challenge!
Strong finishes all round sets up an exciting final day in Bathurst
(7:00pm - Saturday 18th March 2023)
Darcy Mackay (Stonecutters Ridge) and Harry Whitelock (Royal Canberra) have stormed home and will share a narrow overnight lead, while Sienna Clarke (St Michael’s) heads into Sunday with a three shot lead.
Clarke, the only girl to the finish in red figures, put together an impressive round on a firm and fast track in the Central Tablelands. With more than eight players within three shots of the lead towards the end of play, an opportunity arose for someone to step up and put pressure on the rest of the field. A steady opening nine for Clarke put her in a comfortable position to make a move at the turn. Lighting up on the back, with three birdies in six holes to put a three shot gap on the field and finishing the day 71 (-1).
Camilla Kim (The Australian) and Emily Mollard (Royal Canberra) will join Clarke in the final morning group. The pair held on well towards the end and are only a few shots back.
Whitelock and Mackay both posted 68 (-3) with plenty of birdies scattered across their cards. The boys both finished in fine fashion. Whitelock would have thought his stunning seven hole stretch which included three birdies and an eagle was enough to take the solo lead. However, Mackay who was equally impressive, finishing with three birdies in his last four holes.
Vidur Subramaniam (Ryde Parramatta), lead the field out at 7:15am this morning and set the pace early, with a front nine that included five birdies as he made the turn -4. Subramaniam and Ian Kim (St Michael's) (-2), will require big efforts to chase down the two overnight leaders.
Play begins at 7:15am on Sunday morning.
2023 Peter O'Malley Junior Masters
(2:00pm - Thursday 16th March 2023)
Bathurst Golf Club will host the 2023 Peter O'Malley Junior Masters this weekend, with more than 170 players ready to compete in the biggest regional Junior Masters event on the JNJG calendar.
A contrast to last years wet conditions leading into the event, as hot weather is predicted to reign over the Central Tablelands across the weekend.
Defending Champion Ella Murray (St Michael's) will look to go back-to-back as she takes part in the field. While a new Boys Champion will emerge in the absence of 2022 Champion, Riley Millers (Avondale), who will miss the weekend due to other golf committments.
The tournament will feature the JNJG Regional Academy Challenge, with players and coaches looking to put together the final touches in their preparations ahead of next months Acamady Games.
Play begins at 7:15am on Saturday morning.
Round 1 Draw - Click Here
Leaderboards - Click Here
You can follow the live scores using the Golf Genius App with the code - 23POJM.
