News
Record-setting performances Propel Akshay Bhatia and Alexa Pano to Dustin Johnson World Junior Golf Championship wins
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – Akshay Bhatia, the No. 1 junior boy in the world, and Alexa Pano, America’s third-ranked junior girl, cruised to record-setting victories at the Dustin Johnson World Junior Golf Championship Sunday at TPC Myrtle Beach. The Dustin Johnson World Junior Golf Championship is a 54-hole college style event that has quickly grown into one of the top junior events in America. With Johnson’s support, the tournament provides players a PGA Tour-like experience, and the opportunity to test themselves against a premier field.
Bhatia (Wake Forest, N.C.), who entered the final round with a two-stroke advantage, shot 33 on the front nine, staking the 17-year-old North Carolinian to a commanding lead. He fired a 3-under par 69 on the day and finished the tournament at 10-under par, 206, six shots clear of second place Luke Clanton (Miami Lakes, Fla.). Bhatia shattered the Dustin Johnson World Junior Golf Championship scoring record of 5-under par, 211, previously held by Trent Phillips in 2017. He also equaled TPC Myrtle Beach’s 54-hole tournament record of 206, set in 2007 by East Tennessee State University’s Rhys Davies. For 11 years, TPC Myrtle Beach hosted the General Hackler Championship, a 54-hole collegiate event, and the tournament counts Dustin Johnson and Patrick Reed among its alumni.
This was Bhatia’s fourth appearance at the Dustin Johnson World Junior Golf Championship, and his performance has mirrored his meteoric rise in the game. He finished 10th in his first two turns and second in 2018.
Pano’s victory makes her the first player – boy or girl – to win the Dustin Johnson World Junior Golf Championship twice, and she coasted to victory. Just 14-years-old, Pano (Lake Worth, Fla.) entered the final round with an eight-shot lead. She played the opening nine in even par, never giving the field a glimmer of hope. Pano shot a final round 71 and finished at 7-under par 209, easily besting her own tournament record of 218.
Pano has played in the Dustin Johnson World Junior Golf Championship twice and been the leader at the end of all six rounds she has played. Latanna Stone (Riverview, Fla.), a signee at LSU, finished the event at 5-over par, good for a second-place finish. Jensen Castle (West Columbia, S.C.), who will be playing for the University of Kentucky in the fall, was a stroke behind Stone in third.
TPC Myrtle Beach played 6,997 yards from the tips for the boys and 6,055 yards for the girls.
The event was held in a week that began with Dustin Johnson’s dominant win in Mexico City and featured his induction into the Myrtle Beach Golf Hall of Fame. Johnson’s involvement with the tournament reflects his longtime commitment to junior golf, particularly in South Carolina, where he grew into one of the world’s best players. Through the Dustin Johnson Foundation, which is headquartered in Myrtle Beach, Johnson has donated more than $500,000 to junior golf, sponsoring numerous events throughout the state and helping cover entry costs for kids who need financial assistance.
For a full scoreboard click here: BOYS, GIRLS
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Morning 9: 58 on the Korn Ferry Tour | Rory on possible return to policy board
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 Zurich Classic of New Orleans
GolfWRX is live on site this week at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans for the PGA Tour’s one-and-only two-man team event.
As usual, general galleries, WITBs, and pullout albums — including some pretty spicy custom putters and headcovers — await your viewing.
Be sure to check back for more photos from the Big Easy, as we’ll continue to update this page with additional galleries throughout the week.
General Albums
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Monday #1
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Monday #2
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Tuesday #1
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Tuesday #2
WITB Albums
- Alex Fitzpatrick – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Austin Cook – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Alejandro Tosti – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Davis Riley – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- MJ Daffue – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Nate Lashley – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- James Nicholas – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Kevin Streelman – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Rasmus Hojgaard – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Tom Whitney – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- SangMoon Bae – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Daniel Berger – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Rory McIlroy – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Russ Cochrane – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Aldrich Potgieter – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Steve Stricker WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Drew Brees WITB (Legendary New Orleans Saints QB) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Derek Carr (New Orleans Saints QB) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Thriston Lawrence WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
Pullout Albums
- MJ Daffue’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Cameron putters – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Swag covers ( a few custom for Nick Hardy) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Custom Bettinardi covers for Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Doug Ghim’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Patrick Cantlay spotted testing a Scotty Cameron blade putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
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News
Morning 9: Tiger’s TGL teammates | Woosnam’s criticism of Cantlay | Rory’s return to tour policy board
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JP
Mar 5, 2019 at 12:20 am
Killer scores for kids that age. That’s talent!
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What tee box do each of them play from in a competition like this?
CJ
Mar 4, 2019 at 7:13 pm
Absolutely insane. Congrats to both of them