The Junior Invitational at Sage Valley recently concluded in Graniteville, South Carolina, with Asia-Pacific contenders falling just short of claiming the top spots. The event, now in its 14th edition for boys and fourth for girls, saw intense competition at the prestigious Sage Valley Golf Club.
In the boys’ division, New Zealand’s Joshua Bai, who led after three rounds, had to settle for third place as American prodigy Miles Russell clinched the title. Russell’s consistent performance, including a third consecutive two-under 70, secured him a nine-under 279 aggregate, while Bai faltered with a closing 77, ultimately costing him the victory.
Robby Turnbull, Bai’s Nomura Cup teammate, put on a strong finish, securing fourth place with a score of 283. Vietnamese players Nguyen Anh Minh and Le Khanh Hung also made their mark, finishing in the top 21. Other Asia-Pacific representatives in the field included Kartik Singh from India, Rayhan Latief from Indonesia, and Thanawin Lee from Thailand.
On the girls’ side, Canadian Aphrodite Ding dominated the competition with a seven-under 281 total, claiming a six-stroke victory. China’s Liu Yujie secured second place, while Korean Oh Soo-min and Thai Pimpisa Rubrong shared third place with an even-par 288.
Notably, Oh Soo-min, ranked ninth in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, narrowly missed out on another victory following her runner-up finish at the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific in Vietnam. Thai player Achiraya Sriwong finished 15th, with Australian Sarah Hammett in 21st place after a challenging final round.
Looking ahead, Oh, Achiraya, and Hammett are now setting their sights on the Augusta National Women’s Amateur, scheduled to begin on April 2. The Sage Valley event showcased the talent and determination of young golfers from the Asia-Pacific region, setting the stage for future success on the international stage.
Overall, the Junior Invitational at Sage Valley provided a platform for emerging golf stars to showcase their skills and compete at a high level. While the Asia-Pacific contingent may not have claimed victory this time, their performances underscored the region’s growing presence in the world of junior golf.
