AN ALBATROSS AT ALBATROSS JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP!

Greater Noida, November 22:

It was a historic day for junior golf in the country. On day two of the 4th Albatross International Junior Golf Championship, Malaysia’s Lucas Yee Jung Jin, participating in Category ‘C’, became the first player to record an albatross in a junior tournament in India. An albatross is achieved when a golfer finds the hole in three shots under par – a rarity in golf – and the Albatross Junior Tour began in 2007 with hopes as high. How appropriate, then, that such a feat should take place in an event sanctioned by the Albatross Junior Tour!

Lucas followed his three-under 69 on day one with a two-under 70. His two-day score of five-under 139 handed him a commanding lead of 18 strokes. This impressive 12-year-old is on his way to becoming the standout player of the 4th Albatross International Junior, being held at Jaypee Greens Golf Resort.

On the par-five third hole, after a perfect drive of 260 yards into the middle of the fairway, Lucas pulled out a TaylorMade rescue club. “I was actually nervous because there was a bunker to the right of the green, and water to the left. I aimed a bit right, the ball went really high, landed in the middle of the green, and just rolled into the hole. Only when my caddy starting clapping did I realize that the ball was in the hole!”

India’s boys took the honours in Category ‘A’, with Feroz Garewal and Tapendra Ghai in a share of the lead going into the final day. Meanwhile, Ankita Kedlaya maintained hopes of victory in Category ‘B’ (girls), finishing the second day three shots behind Thai girl, Kanyalak Preedasutthijit.

Otherwise, it was another day when international players hogged the limelight at Jaypee Greens. South Africa’s Cara Gorlei held on to top spot in Category ‘A’ (girls), and heads into the final day a shot ahead of Benyapa Niphatsophon of Thailand. In Category ‘B’ (boys), Puwit Anupansuebsai, the 13-year-old prodigy from Thailand, returned a three-under 69 for a 36-hole total of level-par 144, two shots better than South Africa’s Luca Filippi, and five clear of India’s Piyush Sangwan.

Thailand’s juniors, in fact, dominated the second day at Jaypee: Kornkamal Sukaree led Category ‘C’ (girls) by a comfortable 11 shots, Nattabutara Unyamanee was ahead in Category ‘D’ (boys) by 13, and Unyamanee Wongaroon led by a whopping 19 strokes in Category ‘D’ (girls).

In Category ‘E’, Puneet Kaur Bajwa held on to the lead, and goes into the final round four