Aspirations Become Reality

A historic tournament week took place and Junior Aspirations became reality at the Bluffs. This event rewrote just about every record in the books on the Tour – Boy’s low score, Girl’s low score, and Girl’s low tournament title. If a record remained unbroken, competitors certainly flirted with it.

Going into the final round, 3 boys were tightly snug atop the leader board; Markus Lam (2023) of China, Hong Kong SAR, Aksel Moe (2023) of Richville, Minnesota, USA, and Pongsapak Laopakdee (2023) of Rayong, Thailand. Every TaylorMade Live Scoring update throughout the day displayed a new leader between the 3. This was until Aksel Moe got red hot.

Making 5 birdies on the back-nine, Moe could not be stopped. Moe ended the day firing a 6-under-par score of 65, breaking the JGTA Boy’s low score record, which was previously set at 66. In addition, Moe shattered the JGTA Boy’s tournament total record (72-66-65—203), previously 206, set by Purdue University commit, Kentaro Nanayama (2021) of Jakarta, Indonesia.

“This was by far the best course I’ve ever played. It was an amazing experience to play here at The Bluffs, in all sorts of unfamiliar conditions. I would also like to thank The Grand Hotel, the JGTA, my coaches, my parents, and my school”, said Moe.

Finishing 3-strokes behind Moe was Markus Lam, shooting a final-round 2-under-par 69 and Pongsapak Laopakdee, scoring an even-par 71.

Samantha Dizon (2022) of Marikina City, Philippines stole the show this week at The Bluffs. She comfortably sealed her 9-stroke victory with a final-round score of 1-over-par 72. Like Moe, Dizon broke the JGTA Girl’s low score record with her second-round score of 4-under-par 67 and the JGTA Girl’s tournament total record (70-67-72—209).

“I want to thank The Bluffs, The Grand, TaylorMade, my parents, coaches, and of course, the JGTA”, said Dizon. “This win means a lot to me because it is my first JGTA event and to win is a big thing for me.”

Finishing tied for second was Yu Wen Lu (2021) of Shanghai, China, and Chih Hsuan (Jenny) Chang (2021) of Chinese Taipei.

This week was unbelievable. From the premier stage (The Bluffs Ho Tram Strip) to the world-class competitors, the JGTA Junior Aspirations at The Bluffs will be spoken in highest regards globally.