ATI Ciputra Golfpreneur Junior World 2019 presented by AKI

The first round of the ATI Ciputra Golfpreneur Junior World 2019 presented by AKI, sanctioned by the JGTA and the Junior Order of Merit, taking place this week at Damai Indah Golf’s Pantai Indah Kapuk (PIK) was topped to the brim with excitement, leaving attendees and those following online yearning to see what the future has in store.

Jung Soo Yang (2021) o­f Brisbane, Australia shocked the field today at JGTA Ciputra, firing an 8-under-par 64 in the Boy’s Class A Division. Yang made three eagles on the day – two of which were on par-4’s. Not only did he hole out from the fairway in route to an eagle on the par-4 9th, but he did it again on the par-4 11th. Yang was just two strokes shy of the Ciputra Golfpreneur Junior World scoring record of 62.

Leading the charge in the JGTA Division and trailing Yang by three strokes in the Boy’s Class A division is Jakarta local and JGTA Bogor Junior Championship hosted by Sentul Highlands Golf Club champion Kentaro Nanayama (2021). Nanayama had a bogey-free round today to finish at 5-under-par 67.

Leading the Boy’s Class B division is JGTA Hong Kong Junior Classic Champion and current Junior Order of Merit leader Pongspak Laodpakdee (2023) of Rayong, Thailand. Laopakdee fired a 1-under-par 71 and trails Nanayama by four strokes in the JGTA Division. Following close behind is Jaoquin Ethan Hernandez (2023) of Muntinlupa, Philippines with a first round score of even-par 72.

In the Boy’s Class C Division, Chaiyaphat Wongwien of Thailand shot a 3-under-par score of 69 and holds a 10 shot lead heading into moving day.

Defending champion Phannarai Meesom-Us (2022) of Chonburi, Thailand came out of the gate hot this afternoon in windy conditions, firing a first-round score of 5-under-par 67. She made seven birdies on the day and holds a five-shot lead over Megan Julia Streicher (2021) of Cape Town, South Africa.

Leading the charge in the JGTA Division is JiaYang Lu (2020) of Chengdu, China, firing a first-round score of 3-over-par 75. She is trailed closely by Nicole Abelar (2019) of the Philippines and Natachanok Tunwannarux (2023) of Bangkok, Thailand.

36 holes separate Asia’s best from being named to the JGTA Junior All-Asia Teams, with the top boy and girl being crowned JGTA Players of the Year – 2018-2019 Junior Order of Merit Champions at JGTA Ciputra.

Stay tuned for the action…