Yeo focused to claim NZ Age Group Championship

Sung Jin Yeo of North Shore Golf Club has won the Mens New Zealand Age Group Championship after an exciting conclusion, while Focus Jonglikit of Riverside Golf Club has claimed her second women's title in three years today.

Four golfers were tied for the lead standing on the 18th tee with 18-year-old Yeo the only one who was able to manage a birdie and walk away with the trophy at the Manawatu Golf Club.

Jake Lee (Muriwai), Jang Hyun Lee (Titirangi) and Kazuma Kobori (Rangiora) were the other three tied at the top on the 54th hole but they we unable to match Yeo who puts his name in the history books alongside Jason Day, Adam Scott and Greg Turner.

Lee (Jake) and Lee (Jang Hyun) both made par on the last hole to lock up second place and were the best performers in the U17 category while Kobori made bogey on the final hole to finish the three-round championship in fourth (third in U17).

This title was also won more recently by Daniel Hillier in both 2015 and 2016 who has led our New Zealand team to top spot in the Eisenhower Trophy overnight. All three players in that team played numerous times in this championship which has clearly assisted in their careers.

Jayden Ford continued his progression with the best score in the under 15 category to claim yet another medal after a successful stint in Scotland at the Junior Open in July.

The under 13 title went to Zack Swanwich who returned a very impressive three-under par 71 in the final round for a commanding nine shot win.

MENS LEADERBOARD

Focus Jonglikit of Riverside joins an elite group today by winning her second Age Group Championship after engraving her name in 2016 at Greenacres Golf Club as well.

Her final round of two-under par was simply sensational with windy conditions in Turbo Country playing a huge factor.

She was the only one able to handle the conditions on her way to a dominant five shot victory over two form players in Darae Chung (Shandon) and Vivian Lu (Royal Auckland).

Her stretch of three birdies in four holes from 8 to 11 was the crucial moment in the in middle of the final round where she was then able nurse the lead with professionalism to come home in comfort.

This week has provided challenging conditions and the greenkeepers at both the Manawatu Golf Club and Palmerston North Golf Club we still able to present both courses amazingly well.

WOMENS LEADERBOARD

- This story has been automatically published using a media release from Golf NZ