AN ALBATROSS AT ALBATROSS JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP!
Greater Noida, November 22:
It was a historic day for junior golf in the country. On day two of
the 4th Albatross International Junior Golf Championship, Malaysia’s
Lucas Yee Jung Jin, participating in Category ‘C’, became the first
player to record an albatross in a junior tournament in India. An
albatross is achieved when a golfer finds the hole in three shots under
par – a rarity in golf – and the Albatross Junior Tour began in 2007
with hopes as high. How appropriate, then, that such a feat should take
place in an event sanctioned by the Albatross Junior Tour!
Lucas followed his three-under 69 on day one with a two-under 70. His
two-day score of five-under 139 handed him a commanding lead of 18
strokes. This impressive 12-year-old is on his way to becoming the
standout player of the 4th Albatross International Junior, being held at
Jaypee Greens Golf Resort.
On the par-five third hole, after a perfect drive of 260 yards into
the middle of the fairway, Lucas pulled out a TaylorMade rescue club. “I
was actually nervous because there was a bunker to the right of the
green, and water to the left. I aimed a bit right, the ball went really
high, landed in the middle of the green, and just rolled into the hole.
Only when my caddy starting clapping did I realize that the ball was in
the hole!”
India’s boys took the honours in Category ‘A’, with Feroz Garewal and
Tapendra Ghai in a share of the lead going into the final day.
Meanwhile, Ankita Kedlaya maintained hopes of victory in Category ‘B’
(girls), finishing the second day three shots behind Thai girl, Kanyalak
Preedasutthijit.
Otherwise, it was another day when international players hogged the
limelight at Jaypee Greens. South Africa’s Cara Gorlei held on to top
spot in Category ‘A’ (girls), and heads into the final day a shot ahead
of Benyapa Niphatsophon of Thailand. In Category ‘B’ (boys), Puwit
Anupansuebsai, the 13-year-old prodigy from Thailand, returned a
three-under 69 for a 36-hole total of level-par 144, two shots better
than South Africa’s Luca Filippi, and five clear of India’s Piyush
Sangwan.
Thailand’s juniors, in fact, dominated the second day at Jaypee:
Kornkamal Sukaree led Category ‘C’ (girls) by a comfortable 11 shots,
Nattabutara Unyamanee was ahead in Category ‘D’ (boys) by 13, and
Unyamanee Wongaroon led by a whopping 19 strokes in Category ‘D’
(girls).
In Category ‘E’, Puneet Kaur Bajwa held on to the lead, and goes into the final round four
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