Whanganui 14-year-old golf sensation Tara Raj rubs shoulders with Canadian and world No2 Brooke Henderson after missing a spot in the NZ Open by just one shot on Monday.
Whanganui 14-year-old golf sensation Tara Raj rubs shoulders with Canadian and world No2 Brooke Henderson after missing a spot in the NZ Open by just one shot on Monday.
Fourteen-year-old multiple Whanganui women's open winner Tara Raj has gone desperately close to pushing her way into New Zealand Golf Open contention.
Raj finished seventh in the McKayson New Zealand Womens Open Final Qualifying tournament in Auckland on Monday, missing sixth place by just one stroke. The first six homein the tournament have automatic entry to the New Zealand Open, which takes on even more importance now as part of the PGA Tour.
Raj was initially gutted missing by just one stroke, but has since realised the enormity of her achievement in finishing so close in a truly international line up in Hawkes Bay, father Dilan Raj said.
"As a 14-year-old she loved the experience of playing with some of the best women golfers from South Korea, Australia and the UK. It has inspired her to work even harder," Raj senior said.
The Wanganui Collegiate Year 10 student also finished seventh overall in the under-19 division of the national age group women's championships in Hawkes Bay a fortnight ago and second in the under-15 grade.
That tournament attracted three of South Korea's leading amateurs, and Ayean Cho, who is world No36 amateur and made the LPGA cut was the winner in Hawkes Bay.
However, when the South Korean contingent was taken out of the equation in the age group tournament, Raj was the fourth Kiwi home.
On Monday she was also up against stiff opposition with several professional players in their mid-20s in the field.
