Akshay Bhatia becomes first back-to-back Junior PGA Champion
Akshay Bhatia (Right) Junior PGA Champion
Image: GolfWeek
Indo-American Akshay Bhatia—who recently rose to No. 1 in the Rolex Junior Rankings—fought back after posting a disappointing second round 76 to win the prestigious 43rd Junior PGA Championship. In so doing, the 16-year-old became the event’s first successful defending champion. Bhatia, a resident of North Carolina, also automatically earned a spot on the United States Junior Ryder Cup Team which will travel to Paris this month.
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Rudra finishes Runner-Up at Northern Junior Open
Malini Rudra
Malini Rudra of Syosset, New York shot 75-72 to finish runner-up at the Northern Junior Open in Connecticut on August 8.
The Northern Junior Championship is a nationally ranked junior golf tournament that was created to provide the highest level of competition for top junior players. Back in May, the Indo-American won the Nassau girls championship in New York in style—by 10 strokes. The 17-year-old recently committed to Williams College and will be part of their women’s golf team, which is ranked second in the Division 3 NCAA rankings.
Eight-year-old hitting it right
Samaira With her Dad Rahul Tomar
Samaira Tomar of Qutab Golf Course has been making rapid strides.
The eight-year-old currently under the tutelage of ‘Class A’ NGAI coach Romit Bose recently recorded wins in the 90th Junior Albatross, Champions Junior Golf, 6th Ace Golf, Little Master Junior Golf and Digvijay Singh Junior Golf Champion tournaments in her age group. Samaira was introduced to the sport at the age of six by her father Rahul.
Hitaashee shines in Hong Kong
Hitaashee Bakshi
14-year-old Hitaashee Bakshi won the Hong Kong Junior Open Championship by two strokes (13-14 years category) on August 10.
The tournament was held at Discovery Bay Golf Club in Hong Kong. A total of 14 girls competed in that particular category. Hitaashee, whose home course is Army Golf Course (Delhi), stood third overall, among 23 girls, with a score of 237. She is coached by Anitya Chand at DLF Golf & Country Club.
(Read more in the September issue of Golf Digest India. Download here.)