Golf: Cho runaway winner at under-19 tournament

Northland golfer Ayean Cho romped home to a massive 12-shot win in the 2017 North Island Under-19 Championships.

Northland golfer Ayean Cho romped home to a massive 12-shot win in the 2017 North Island Under-19 Championships.

Playing at the Riverside-Lochiel Golf Course, the Sherwood Park member blitzed the field, recording rounds of 66, 67 and 64, finishing her irrepressible effort at 19-under, a full dozen clear of second-placed Jung Soo Lee.

Cho is part of a group of young aspiring golfers who spend the summer in New Zealand, utilising the fantastic facilities and courses to hone their game.

While slightly more modest scoring was recorded by the other three Northland players involved, they produced some fantastic golf.

Soktaera Sean (Northland) finished in eighth place after a tough start saw her six over on the first day. She made a strong comeback to go even over her last two rounds with scores of 73 and 71.

Mangawhai's Belinda May was close on her heels, ending in a share of tenth place after recording rounds of 80, 73 and 71. Like Soktaera, May paid the price for a tough start despite a strong showing in her last two rounds.

Northland's Soktearodh Sean finished 34th after a slightly disappointing week with scores of 77, 83 and 79.

Meanwhile, Northland Players Christian Nitsche (Whangarei) and Taylor Gill (BOI Kerikeri) are competing in the 2017 Australian Amateur Championship at Yarra Yarra Golf Club.

Nitsche and Gill will need solid scores in the opening two rounds to advance to the matchplay stages of the event.