Category: Juniors

Junior Yana Wilson’s caddie dies on eve of Epson Tour opener

Wilson wrote in a touching Instagram post for the man many called “Goose.”

Yana Wilson will never forget the 2024 Epson Tour season opener. It started out as a reunion of sorts as Wilson met up again with Rick Evans, the longtime Liberty National caddie who was on her bag for the win at the AJGA Mizuho Americas Open last summer. Wilson, 17, won the junior event right alongside Rose Zhang.

Evans collapsed on Tuesday during a practice round at the Florida’s Natural Charity Classic in Winter Haven, Florida. On Thursday evening, the night before the start of the 54-hole event, Wilson’s family learned that the caddie known as “Goose” had died.

Wilson, who was playing in the event as an amateur, wrote in a touching Instagram post that she would do her best to make him proud. She stayed in the tournament, recording three eagles in Saturday’s round to sit only two strokes back of the leaders.

But Wilson fell ill on Sunday, and as she tried to warm up for the final round, she was too dizzy to compete and withdrew from the tournament.

“I have never met a caddie better than you,” Wilson wrote. “Your ability to guide and encourage was unmatched.”

Last year’s AJGA Player of the Year, Wilson won her first professional title last month on the Cactus Tour, playing alongside 2020 AIG Women’s British Open champion Sophia Popov, who is coming back from maternity leave.

Wilson had set a goal of winning a professional title before she graduated from high school. Such lofty goals are often placed on her annual vision boards. The first year she won the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals at Augusta National, for example, Wilson had the Masters leaderboard on her board.

Two years ago when she won the U.S. Girls’ Junior, she’d posted a picture of Minjee Lee hoisting the Girls’ Junior trophy.

Like many junior players, Wilson tries to emulate 2023 Augusta National Womens Amateur champ Zhang as much as she can. For example, her mindset coming into this week’s Epson Tour event was quite different compared to her first sponsor exemption on the developmental tour.

“I thought I’d kind of have it in the bag back then,” said Wilson, “which obviously isn’t the best mindset to walk into a tournament with.

“This time I have no expectation. … That’s also kind of what Rose talks about all the time – having no expectations.”

Yana Wilson and Rose Zhang imitate a “selfie” with their trophies after the final round of the 2023 Mizuho Americas Open at Liberty National Golf Club in Jersey City, New Jersey. (Photo: Elsa/Getty Images)

Last summer, Wilson played in her first LPGA major at the U.S. Women’s Open at Pebble Beach. She recently received an invitation to compete in the Amundi Evian Championship this July.

Her favorite pro, Minjee Lee, won that one as well.

Wilson, who was born and raised in Henderson, Nevada, went out to watch her favorite LPGA players as a youngster at the Kia Classic near San Diego. She was 8 years old the first time Lee caught her eye and gave her a golf ball.

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While winning the Girls’ Junior is the most obvious comparison between the two, there’s one more similarity that’s nothing short of shocking.

Wilson was out watching the LPGA at Aviara in 2016. She’d stepped back from Lee to watch Lydia Ko when she heard a tremendous roar coming from the 16th. Lee had holed out for an ace on the drivable par 4.

Two years later, Wilson did the same from 290 yards on the downhill dogleg as they chased a setting sun.

“It was such a crazy coincidence,” she said of her first ace.

Wilson, who was taught by her father, Jim, would like nothing more than to add something to her resume this spring that Lee doesn’t boast: a stroke-play victory at Augusta National.

One special caddie will be with her all the way.

Ann Sophie Bourgault continues winning fall with Golfweek International Junior title

Ann Sophie Bourgault is on a bit of a winning streak recently with the Golfweek International Junior Invitational being her latest victory.

Ann Sophie Bourgault has been on a bit of a winning streak recently. Two weeks ago, she topped the field in a South Florida PGA Junior event, firing a final-round 4-under 68 to wrap up the victory – which included playing her back nine in 5 under.

On Sunday, Bourgault did herself one better, using a final-round 67 at Celebration Golf Club in Orlando, Florida, to win the Golfweek International Junior Invitational by four shots.

“It’s definitely an important tournament,” Bourgault said when asked how her Golfweek victory stacks up with the others she’s amassed in a short but decorated career. “I think it’s the first invitational I’ve won so I’m definitely proud that I was able to win with such a great field and great people playing in this tournament. I think it’s definitely up there on the list for sure.”

After opening with 73, Bourgault managed the wind much better on Day 2.

“It was kind of a scrambling day,” she said of the first round, “saving par a lot of the times and just not how I would want to play. Today I just kind of woke up and just stuck with my gameplan, just focused each shot at a time and trust myself.

“Today I was able to hit a lot of fairways, a lot of greens, and I converted some birdies so just kept the game simple.”

Scores: Golfweek International Junior Invitational

Bourgault’s final round was particularly big at Celebration, and it ties her personal best in competition. Earlier in the fall, Bourgault used a final-round 67 to win the Quebec Amateur Championship. In fact, she won all three divisions – amateur, junior and juvenile – to be named a Triple Crown winner in the event.

For the past four years, Bourgault, who goes by the nickname “AnnSo” and wears those letters in a necklace, and her family have lived in Naples, Florida, for six to eight months of the year. They return home to Quebec, where Bourgault plays out of Royal Ottawa Golf Club, in the summer months.

Bourgault was invited to Team Canada selection camp this year but didn’t make the final roster even though the experience helped move her game forward. The high school sophomore hopes to play college golf in the U.S. and is looking ahead to this summer, when coaches can begin communicating with her. Until then, she’s putting her energy toward keeping a list of where she’d like to play and improving her game to make sure she has that opportunity.

Photos: Golfweek International Junior Invitational, Girls

Consistency has always been a strong point of Bourgault’s game and as a self-described shorter hitter, she has needed her short game to be sharp. She recently started working with putting coach Derek MacDonald back home at Royal Ottawa and can see that paying off.

“Right now I think what I’m trying to improve is gain more distance, gain more strength, keep working out and getting stronger,” she said

Bourgault notes that she has begun working with a personal trainer and that outside of golf, CrossFit is another thing that occupies her time. Clearly, she doesn’t let anything remain a weakness for long.

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Photos: Golfweek International Junior Invitational, Girls

Check out images from the 2023 Golfweek International Junior Invitational at Celebration Golf Club in Orlando.

The Golfweek International Junior Invitational, which has been played for more than 20 years, wrapped up at Celebration Golf Club in Orlando, Florida, on Sunday.

Lucas Gimenez ran away with the boys competition, going 12 under to win by nine shots. Ann Sophie Bourgault won the girls division by four shots after finishing 36 holes at 4 under.

Add Gimenez and Bourgault to an impressive list of past champions that also includes LPGA players Annie Park, Stephanie Meadow and Bailey Tardy on the women’s side and Peter Uihlein, Morgan Hoffman and, more recently, U.S. Walker Cup team member Nicholas Gabrelcik on the men’s side.

Golfweek International Junior: Scores

Check out photos from the competition at Celebration:

Photos: Golfweek International Junior Invitational, Boys

Check out images from the boys competition at the Golfweek International Junior Invitational at Celebration Golf Club in Orlando, Florida.

The Golfweek International Junior Invitational, which has been played for more than 20 years, wrapped up at Celebration Golf Club in Orlando, Florida, on Sunday.

Lucas Gimenez ran away with the boys competition, going 12 under to win by nine shots. Ann Sophie Bourgault won the girls division by four shots after finishing 36 holes at 4 under.

Add Gimenez and Bourgault to an impressive list of past champions that also includes LPGA players Annie Park, Stephanie Meadow and Bailey Tardy on the women’s side and Peter Uihlein, Morgan Hoffman and, more recently, U.S. Walker Cup team member Nicholas Gabrelcik on the men’s side.

Golfweek International Junior: Scores

Check out photos from the boys competition at Celebration:

Watch: 11-year-old Holden Bautista drops the mic on a speechless Tiger Woods during Q&A session

“I, mean, you’re the GOAT, I feel like it would be expected.”

Hats off to 11-year-old Holden Bautista.

It’s not every day a golfer makes two aces in the same round but that’s what Bautista accomplished on Oct. 8, during the second day of competition in the TGR Invitation, a junior tournament that lets kids play The Hay at Pebble Beach, a par-3 course that Tiger Woods redesigned in 2021.

But what Bautista did later that day may be even more remarkable: he dunked on Tiger Woods during a Q&A session with the 15-time major winner.

Bautista asked a simple question: “Have you ever gotten two hole-in-ones in one round?”

Laughter ensued.

“I, mean, you’re the GOAT, I feel like it would be expected,” he added.

Tiger just sat there speechless shaking his head

“But it’s OK,” Bautista continued, “I feel like I’m putting you under a spotlight right now.”

“He just mic dropped it on top of everybody, right?” Tiger said with a smile.

Indeed, he did. Check out the video below because this is a case where words don’t do it justice.

Meet ‘Super’ Billy Davis, twin of ANWA champ Anna, who is making a name for himself

He went from likely watching his sister from outside the ropes to earning a berth alongside her as a member of the U.S. Junior Ryder Cup in Rome.

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – It’s been a super summer for Super Billy Davis.

Davis, 17, of Spring Valley, California, whose Instagram handle is @SuperBillyDavis, will try to cap off a magical run with victory at the AJGA’s Junior Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass, Sept. 1-3.

Davis is the twin brother of 2022 Augusta National Women’s Amateur champion Anna Davis – “she’s two minutes older than me,” he says – and busting out of her shadow in a big way.

Beginning in December, he’s finished tied for second in the Jones Cup Junior Invitational, won two AJGA titles including the Mayakoba Invitational in April, finished third in the Toyota World Cup representing the U.S. in Japan and helped the West team win the Wyndham Cup in July. At the U.S. Junior Championship later that month, his first USGA championship, he advanced to the semifinals before losing to eventual runner-up Joshua Bai of New Zealand. A week later, on August 1, he tied for second in the Junior PGA Championship.

Add it all up and he has progressed from likely watching his sister from outside the ropes to earning a berth alongside her as a member of the 12-person U.S. Junior Ryder Cup (six boys and six girls), which will compete in Rome Sept. 26-28.

“It’s really unexpected,” he said. “It wasn’t something I had my sights set on at all, but once I got on this run I ended up earning a whole bunch of points.”

Indeed, he did, and at minimum he will enjoy some good pizza, pasta and gelato as a result while hoping he also can pick the brain of fellow San Diego native Xander Schauffele in Rome. Davis has climbed to fifth in the AJGA’s Rolex rankings and No. 460 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking. He still has a long way to go to catch his twin, who is ranked No. 4 in the women’s ranking and finished second at the LPGA Tour’s Mizuho Americas Open. Anna, who made her bucket hat famous during her victorious turn at Augusta National last year, is just behind Rose Zhang as a leading lady of women’s golf. Asked how he handles being in her shadows, Super Billy says it’s actually pretty cool and has its benefits – such as when they go to their home course in San Diego and everyone wants to talk to big sister.

“She can hardly practice while I can do my thing,” he said. “Every once in a while, someone will stop me and say, ‘Hey, didn’t I see you caddying for your sister on TV?’ ”

But Super Billy won’t be under the radar for long if he keeps racking up wins and top finishes in the biggest junior events. He is yet another super-talented ballstriking machine. He’s 135 pounds soaking wet and with his glasses on – one can only imagine that once the Auburn University commit (as is his sister) gets on a rigorous training program and grows into his wiry frame, he’ll only become longer. He’s already got enough pop. When asked how he fares against his sister, he says he more than holds his own. And in case you were wondering if a teen who goes by Super Billy has the swagger to match that of his sister, he adds, “It’s not a fair fight when we play from the tips.”

Anawin Pikulthong wins 2023 Golfweek Southwest Junior Open by 13 shots; Sirina Ganne takes girls division title

ASU-bound Anawin Pikulthong won the Golfweek Southwest Junior by a whopping 13 shots.

Anawin Pikulthong, 18, an Arizona State University commit from nearby Gilbert, Arizona, won the 2023 Golfweek Southwest Junior Open at Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club in Maricopa, Arizona, on Sunday.

The limited-field Southwest Junior Open, now in its 22nd year, is recognized as one of the nation’s premier junior golf tournaments.

Pikulthong enters the Golfweek record book after his dominating victory becoming the first player to four-peat. Along the way, Pikulthong took out some of Arizona’s top junior talent to claim the coveted title.

Pikulthong, who said he hasn’t been playing up to his potential lately, used his relaxed attitude and intimate knowledge of Southern Dunes to put on an exhibition. His performance was particularly impressive given the combination of heat, fast greens and tucked pins.

His victory came after a thrilling final round at Southern Dunes where he shot 9-under 63 to finish with a two-day total score of 19-under 125. He hit accurate drives, approach shots and made putts while avoiding any costly mistakes en route to his two-day combined scorecard that included 17 birdies and one eagle.

His closest competitors were Tommie Clark of Mesa and Kyle Koski of Chandler who posted 6-under 138 and 5-under 139, respectively.

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Girls division

Sirina Ganne, 15, of Holmdel, New Jersey, added another first-place finish to her resume.

Ganne, a rising high school sophomore, is the current New Jersey Girls State Champion, a title she won earlier this month at Raritan Valley Country Club in Bridgewater, New Jersey.

Sirina Ganne
Sirina Ganne holds a trophy after winning the 2023 Golfweek Southwest Junior Open at Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club in Maricopa, Arizona. (Photo: Golfweek)

Her two-day total of 144 (70-74) earned her a three-shot win over Angela Zhikun-Chen of Chandler. Ganne finished even par; the rest of the field finished over par during the two-day event.

With her victory at the Golfweek Southwest Junior Open, Sirina will get an exemption into the Golfweek International Junior Invitational, Nov. 4-5, in Orlando.

Ganne’s older sister, Megha, just finished her freshman season at Stanford.

Meet 14-year-old Gianna Clemente, who has Monday-qualified for the last two LPGA events

It’s Gianna Clemente’s second time in as many weeks to Monday qualify.

SYLVANIA, Ohio – Lexi Thompson signed a glove for Gianna Clemente not far from where the 14-year-old stood on the first tee at Highland Meadows Golf Club on Tuesday giving an interview. From ages 5 to 10, Clemente and her family made the three-hour trek from Warren, Ohio, to Sylvania to watch what’s now known as the Dana Open.

“A lot of people still think I have the attitude of Lexi,” said Clemente, “really feisty, really serious at times. I literally wanted to watch Lexi for 18 holes, that was me as a kid.”

Clemente, a high school freshman who was runner-up at the 2022 U.S. Girls’ Junior, played in her first LPGA Monday Qualifier last week in Canada and earned a spot in the CP Women’s Open field for her first LPGA start. Incredibly, she Monday-qualified again for this week’s Dana Open, bouncing back from a late double with two birdies to shoot 3-under 69 and win the qualifier.

“I saw Lexi in the locker room in Canada,” said Clemente, “and I was just way too scared to go up and say hi.”

She played a practice round with Augusta National Women’s Amateur champion Anna Davis and Cristie Kerr and hit balls next to World No. 1 Jin Young Ko. (“I was like oh, oh my goodness.”) Clemente shot 69-74 to miss the cut in Ottawa.

“Just seeing everybody inside the ropes, Nelly and Lexi, all the big names you see on TV,” she said. “To be inside the ropes and playing, that was surreal.”

Mostly though, Clemente seems relatively at ease in the professional environment. Certainly when it comes to the media.

“I’ve always loved the cameras and attention,” she said.

Clemente was given an exemption to compete in the Monday qualifier for next week’s new Kroger Queen City Championship in Cincinnati, as well. Amateurs must apply for an exemption to participate in LPGA local qualifiers.

Patrick Clemente, a former collegiate player at Youngstown State, gave his daughter her first set of plastic clubs when she was 18 months old. She played in her first tournament at age 5. The Clementes live on a golf course, Avalon Lakes, in Warren.

“At about 9, 10 as crazy as that sounds,” said Patrick, “you could see this is what she wanted to do.”

Gianna has done online schooling since the fourth grade, and at age 11, she became the third-youngest player to qualify for the 2019 U.S. Women’s Amateur at Old Waverly. Only Lucy Li (10 years, 10 months, 4 days) and Latanna Stone (10 years, 11 months and 2 days) were younger.

Patrick, VP of sales for a manufacturing company, is on the bag most weeks. Both father and daughter typically have homework left to do once they leave the course.

“We’re seeing a little bit of overdue marks on my assignments right now,” said Gianna. “It’s OK. I’m going to do it later when I get back to the hotel.”

Next month, Gianna heads to the Amundi Evian Juniors Cup in France. She’ll also try to defend her title at AJGA’s Ping Invitational at Karsten Creek in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

As for turning professional early, Gianna said she can’t yet talk to college coaches but isn’t ruling anything out.

“For now, I do want to go to college,” she said. “But we’ll see what happens. I still have a lot of time.”

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The Golfweek 2022 International Junior Invitational

The Golfweek Junior Tournament Series is now in its 23nd year. All events in the Series are nationally ranked by Golfweek/Sagarin and the Junior Golf Scoreboard. The Golfweek International Junior Invitational is the flagship event of the Series and …

The Golfweek Junior Tournament Series is now in its 23nd year. All events in the Series are nationally ranked by Golfweek/Sagarin and the Junior Golf Scoreboard. The Golfweek International Junior Invitational is the flagship event of the Series and annually attracts one of the top fields in junior golf. Entry is based solely on (1) invitation, (2) submitted and approved application, (3) finishing top 10 in qualifying Golfweek Junior Series tournament, (4) finishing in the top 5 in a state junior championship. Other potential entrants are encouraged to submit a playing resume for consideration by the tournament committee. 

2022 Golfweek South West Junior: Jennifer Seo, Honorine Nobuta Ferry co-lead girls; Ryan Sefrioui leads boys

Jennifer Seo and Honorine Nobuta Ferry co-lead the girls division while Ryan Sefrioui leads the boys.

Some of the nation’s best junior golfers take the stage for a 36-hole shootout at Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club in Maricopa, Arizona, this weekend at the 2022 Golfweek South West Junior.

The event features a boys and girls division with the girls side vying for eight valuable America Junior Golf Association performance stars on top of an invite to the prestigious Golfweek International Junior Invitational in November.

The girls came to play as there were three rounds under par in Saturday’s first round. Jennifer Seo and Honorine Nobuta Ferry fired matching 3-under 69s to take a one stroke advantage on Annie Dawson (1 under).

Winning the 2021 Thunderbird Junior Classic and looking for her sixth career win, Seo has the experience over her playing partners as a member of the 2023 graduating class.

Chasing the leaders at even par are Julia Herzberg and Zoe Newell. Four more golfers are within five shots of the lead.

On the boys side, two-time defending champion Anawin Pikulthong opened with a 3-over 75, good for a spot at solo fourth.

Leading the way on the boys’ side is Ryan ‘O.T.’ Sefrioui. Carding a bogey-free 68, Sefrioui takes a four stroke lead over his next closest chaser, Alec Barker.

Rounding out the final grouping alongside Barker and Sefrioui is Lyman Brackett who posted a 1-over 73 in his opening round on Saturday.

With five golfers within eight shots of the lead, Sefrioui will have plenty of chasers with 18 holes separating him from the championship.