Rushton and Sakuragi Win IJGT at Saddlebrook Resort
WESLEY
CHAPEL, FL - This
week, the International Junior Golf Tour (IJGT) returned to Saddlebrook Resort
for another thrilling event. Home to the
famed Palmer course, Saddlebrook played host for 84 of the area's best junior
golfers all looking to take home the ultimate prize. The strong field of IJGT competitors was
forced to navigate the Palmer Courses slick undulating greens and hazard ridden
layout.
In the Boys 16-19 Division, Hank Haney International Junior
Golf Academy (Hank Haney IJGA) student Matthew Rushton (Johannesburg, South
Africa) came out in the first round firing and never let up. Rushton posted a spectacular 6-under-par 65
on Saturday to take a commanding lead heading into the final round. With a determined field on his heels, Rushton
was cool under pressure firing a 73 on Sunday to capture the first place
title. Rushton finished in red figures
with a score of 138. Finishing in second
place was Hank Haney IJGA student Ernesto Vitienes (Santo Domingo, Dominican
Republic). Vitienes carded impressive rounds of 69 and 73 to finish with an
even-par score of 142.
'I feel great to get
the win this week. I played pretty well
all weekend and it's nice to walk away with a victory. My ball striking could have been better but I
made up for it around the greens with my putting,' said Rushton.
In the Girls U-19 Division, Hank Haney IJGA student Momo
Sakuragi (Tokyo, Japan) provided consistent play all weekend and fired rounds
of 69 and 72 to finish in red figures for the tournament. Sakuragi finished with a 1-under-par score of
141. Staring a playoff right in the eye,
Hank Haney IJGA student Anna Young (Saskatoon, Canada) posted a final round 73
to finish in a close second.
Excited about getting the win, Sakuragi stated, 'I hit the
ball very well this weekend. I had some
great second shots on both days which left me with some easy putts. Overall, I just really played consistent.'
In the Boys U-12 Division, Hank Haney IJGA student Derrick
Villarreal (Hartland, WI) posted rounds of 75 and 78 to claim second place
honors.
