Sweden’s Filippa Moork jumps to second with third-round 4-under 68

 OTTAWA (Golf Canada/ Golf Association of Ontario)— The team representing the Republic of Korea continued its strong play in the third round of the World Junior Girls Championship at The Marshes Golf Club in Ottawa.

The trio’s depth was again on display – for the third time in as many days, a different player led the team. The unit finished the day 6-under and now sits at 15-under 417 for the competition – 11 shots clear of second. Icheon native Shin Hye Kim led the way with six birdies and a bogey-free 3-under across the back nine. She finished the day at 4-under 68 to move into a tie for third at 2-under 214.

“I am extremely happy with my round. I was very lucky with my putting today. There were times when I made six or seven footers and that is something that rarely happens for me.”

Teammate, Hye-Jin Choi, a native of Paju-si, fired a 2-under 70 to reach 5-under in the tournament and reclaim the lead she held following the first round. Round two leader Eun-Soo Jang of Chang-Hyung finished the day 4-over 76 and sits alone in fifth for the tournament at 1-under.

“Even though this competition has an individual component, all three of us are only focused on the team competition,” added Kim when asked about her relationship with her squad. “The first day I was worried because I shot a 4-over. Throughout the round, I thought about what my teammates were doing, when I finished and found out what they had shot, I was instantly relieved. It felt like I had shot a 3-under myself.”

Filippa Moork began the round in third-place at even-par, but a 4-under performance propelled the native of Karlstad, Sweden into second. The 18-year-old is one-shot off the individual lead at 4-under.

“It felt really good to tie for the low round. I played my own game,” said Moork. “It was fun out there today. It feels nice that my putts were going in.”

Team Sweden, consisting of Moork, Gothenburg’s Elin Esborn and Fiskebackskil’s Frida Kinhult, sits alone in second at 4-under 428 following a combined score of 3-under on the day. Esborn completed the round at 3-over 75 to sit T20 in the tournament at 223. Kinhult ended the day with a 74 and is currently alone in sixth.

“We did really well today,” said Sweden’s head coach Malin Thorberg.
“Filippa putted really well today and made a lot of birdies. Frida, as well. It was a very good day on the greens. We are all really happy with today.”

Despite some difficult circumstances, Thorberg reflected very positively on the importance of this competition. “This is a really good learning experience for the girls. For Frida and Elin, it is their first time playing in this championship. We were without our clubs for the first two days (due to travel issues), but that was a good thing for the girls to learn – that these things can happen. They took it really well. From there, we just tried to be happy and do our best and learn as much as we could, both from other players and the course.”

Rounding out the top three is Team Denmark. The squad members made a move early in the round and found themselves just one back of Korea for the lead. However, they would fall back and sit at 2-under heading into the final round.

Silkeborg’s Cecilie Bofill, who is tied for third, led Denmark on the day. Bofill got off to a fast start with three birdies on the first five holes, but would end the round at 2-over 74 to sit 2-under for the tournament. Teammate Puk Lyng Thomsen, a native of Frederickshavn, was 1-over for the day and sits T8 at 2-over. The third member of the team, Gilleleje’s Line Toft Hansen, is T13 at 4-over after an even-par third round.

Team Canada Two’s Kathrine Chan of Richmond, B.C., posted a 2-over 74 on the day – her lowest round of the competition. Tied for 27^th, she is the top Canadian in the individual standings at 12-over.

The final round of the World Junior Girls Championship will begin tomorrow at 8 a.m. Additional information regarding the tournament, including tee times and full results, can be found at www.worldjuniorgirls.com.

ABOUT THE WORLD JUNIOR GIRLS GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP

The World Junior Girls Golf Championship is an annual event conducted by Golf Canada in partnership with the Golf Association of Ontario. The international competition features three-player teams of athletes under the age of 19. As host country, Canada will field two teams in the competition.

In 2015, the competition will be hosted at The Marshes Golf Club in Ottawa. The second edition of the tournament will see a 16-team field compete over 72 holes for both individual and team honours.

The event receives funding from the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport; the Golf Canada Foundation (Women’s Golf Fund); and Ottawa Tourism.

Admission and parking for the World Junior Girls Golf Championship is free. For more information, visit www.worldjuniorgirls.com.

Jang reaches 5-under as Team Korea builds a five-stroke lead

OTTAWA (Golf Canada/ Golf Association of Ontario) – Clear skies and brilliant sunshine provided an ideal backdrop for the second round of the 2015 World Junior Girls Championship at The Marshes Golf Club in Ottawa. The team representing the Republic of Korea took full advantage of the ideal conditions to expand its lead atop the standings.

“I am very satisfied with both the scores and details of today’s performance,” said Korean coach Sang-Won Ko. “Yesterday the scores were fine, but the details weren’t where we wanted them to be. Today everything went well.”

Ko credited hard work and increased familiarity with the course for his team’s play. “The players are getting used to the course and are getting more comfortable playing it. Their putting was much better. We worked on it after yesterday’s round and it helped a lot today. To continue to lead, we just need to keep putting well.”

Leading the Korean side was Eun-Soo Jang who tallied six birdies en route to a 5-under 67. The 17-year-old, who has been battling a cold, is finally feeling more like herself. “Yesterday, I was struggling. Today, I got back to my game and gave myself more chances to make birdies. My wedge play was the strongest part of my game today. My shots from 80-yards-in were really good. I stuck many of them to within a foot or two on many of the holes.”

Cecilie Bofill of Silkeborg, Denmark ascended the leaderboard with five birdies, including three across a bogey-free back nine. The 17-year-old finished the first day of competition tied with 10 other players in fourth-place at even-par; her round of 4-under 68 has vaulted her into second.

The 18-hole leader – Hye-Jin Choi – followed her opening round of 2-under 70 with a 71. She carded two birdies on the day and despite sitting third in the competition, the 16-year-old’s tally will not count towards her team’s total on the day.

The Korean trio extended its lead from two to five strokes on the strength of performances from Jang and the team’s final member – Shin Hye Kim. She collected four birdies on the front nine before a pair of bogeys saw the 18-year-old finish at 2-under 70. The team is now 9-under 279 through two rounds.

Led by Bofill, Team Denmark rose two spots to claim sole possession of second place. Puk Lyng Thomsen’s even-par round also counted towards her squad’s combined total of 4-under 285, while Line Toft Hansen’s 75 on the day completes the trio’s scores.

Team Sweden – comprised of Frida Kinhult of Fiskebackskil, Gothenburg’s Elin Esborn and Karlstad native Filippa Moork – holds third place at 1-under 287. Kinhult, who sits T5, posted a round of 1-under 71 to count alongside Moork’s 72. Esborn was 3-over 75 for the round.

Toping the Canadian contingent is Alisha Lau. The 15-year-old carded one birdie and completed the round at 2-over 74. The national team Development Squad member is T24 at 6-over for the competition.

Head Coach of Team Canada One, Ann Carroll, provided some insight on her squad’s second-round performance. “I think they tried a little too hard today. I think some of them got off to a not-so-great start and after that, they started to force things instead of letting things come to them. I tried my best to get them in the right frame of mind and back to where they could control things.”

Carroll remains positive on the experience as a whole. “I think playing in an international event like this excels their learning and gives them confidence that even though they may not have played their best, they still know they can play against other girls from around the world.”

The third round of the World Junior Girls Championship will begin tomorrow at 8 a.m. Additional information regarding the tournament, including tee times and full results, can be found at www.worldjuniorgirls.com.

Hye-jin Choi (KOR) and Elizabeth Wang (U.S.) share individual lead at two-under (70)

OTTAWA (Golf Canada/ Golf Association of Ontario) – It was a beautiful day at The Marshes Golf Club in Ottawa as the 2015 World Junior Girls Championship officially began. This year’s competition has gathered 14 countries, 15 teams and 44 players in the nation’s capital.

Making their debuts in this year’s event are teams representing the People’s Republic of China, the Republic of Korea and France, who join returning countries Canada, Australia, Denmark, England, Finland, Italy, Mexico, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the defending champions from the United States of America.

With the lowest two scores from each round counting towards the team’s daily total, Korea took the opening-round lead at two-under (142). Hye-Jin Choi led her team with a round of two-under (70) while Eun-Soo Jang shot even-par (72). The third member of the team, Shin Hye Kim, posted a four-over-par performance.

After the round, Korean coach Sang-Won Ko reflected pensively on his team’s first round. “I told the team that they were leading at lunch, but that they could have been playing even better. I think all three can work on their putting heading into the second round. It is always a great experience to be a member of a team that represents Korea, it’s all the motivation they need.”

Choi’s round of 70 also has her tied atop the individual competition. Despite her share of the lead, the 16-year-old laments the opportunities she was unable to capitalize upon.

“It is hard to pinpoint one particular strength of my game today. I finished with five birdies, but could have had more,” said Choi. “I missed a few chances that could have led to two or three more birdies. Having a share of the lead is nice because it makes me comfortable heading into the rest of the tournament. I just have to play even better tomorrow now that everyone is warmed up.

Two shots back of Korea in the team competition are the United States and Sweden who both sit at even-par 144. Team USA was led by a strong performance from Elizabeth Wang who holds a share of the lead.

“I started out pretty well with my putting really helping me out,” noted Wang. “I got a little tired on the back nine and my putting suffered. This is a very beautiful course, the greens are pretty firm, each hole is unique and you can definitely score on the course.”

The San Marino, Calif., native beamed with pride when asked about taking part in this competition. “This event is just such a privilege for me to represent the United States and I am very grateful for the opportunity.”

Also factoring into the team score was Alyaa Abdulghany of Newport Beach, Calif., who finished two-over (74). Completing the American contingent was Frisco, Texas native Courtney Dow who carded a five-over (77).

Sweden – last year’s silver medalists – counted Frida Kinhult and Filippa Moork’s identical even-par rounds. The pair’s performances have them knotted in an 11-way tie for fourth. Elin Esborn completed the day at one-over (73).

Both Canadian sides finished with room for improvement following the first day of competition. Team Canada Two made up of B.C. natives Euna Han (Coquitlam), Alisha Lau (Richmond) and Katherine Chan (Richmond) finished at seven-over (151) while Team Canada One consisting of Grace St-Germain (Orleans, Ont.) Hannah Lee (Surrey, B.C.) and Tiffany Kong (Vancouver) were eight-over.

Team Canada Two coach Mike Martz sees positives to be taken from his team’s performance. “I think they did a good job today. They didn’t have the greatest start, but they fought really hard on the back nine to come back two or three shots. They could have just folded, but they pulled everything together and fought back. We will put some work in today and hopefully they will be able to continue to improve tomorrow.”

For full tournament information, including the leaderboard and pairings see the tournament site at: http://www.worldjuniorgirls.com

ABOUT THE WORLD JUNIOR GIRLS GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP

The World Junior Girls Golf Championship is an annual event conducted by Golf Canada in partnership with the Golf Association of Ontario. The international competition features three-player teams of athletes under the age of 19. As host country, Canada will field two teams in the competition.

In 2015, the competition will be hosted at The Marshes Golf Club in Ottawa. The second edition of the tournament will see a 16-team field compete over 72 holes for both individual and team honours.

The event receives funding from the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport; the Golf Canada Foundation (Women’s Golf Fund); and Ottawa Tourism.

Admission and parking for the World Junior Girls Golf Championship is free. For more information, visit www.worldjuniorgirls.com.

OTTAWA (Golf Canada) – The 2015 edition of the World Junior Girls Championship will be held at The Marshes Golf Club in Ottawa from September 20-25. In addition to showcasing a number of the world’s most talented 18-and-under female golfers, the event will focus on the continued development of the sport.

“The World Junior Girls Championship is about more than this year’s participants and their opportunity to learn through international competition,” said Jeff Thompson, Chief Sport Officer of Golf Canada. “It is also about the sustainable development of golf in Canada and strengthening the relationship between the national golf associations around the world.”

Mike Kelly, Interim Executive Director of the Golf Association of Ontario, mirrored Thompson’s sentiments. “The chance to gather a number of elite coaching minds from around the world to share their knowledge and experiences is an invaluable opportunity. Through the junior girls skills development clinic and the junior-amateur fundraiser, we hope to leave a lasting imprint on the golfing community in the Ottawa area.”

A coaching summit is set to take place on Sunday, September 20 at The Marshes Golf Club. During the competitors’ practice rounds, PGA of Canada coaches will be paired with international coaches to exchange ideas and share in coaching methodology. Following the practice rounds, the PGA of Canada coaches will gather with Team Canada Women’s Head Coach Tristan Mullally and PGA of Canada Technical Director Glenn Cundari in a round-table discussion.

A junior girls skills development clinic will be conducted with PGA of Canada coaches introducing and developing golf-specific skills with junior golfers invited from the community. The junior-amateur fundraiser will see World Junior Girls Championship competitors play with local golfing enthusiasts to raise funds towards the development of golf in Ontario.

ABOUT THE WORLD JUNIOR GIRLS GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP

The World Junior Girls Golf Championship is an annual event conducted by Golf Canada in partnership with the Golf Association of Ontario. The international competition features three-player teams of athletes under the age of 19. As host country, Canada will field two teams in the competition.

In 2015, the competition will be hosted at The Marshes Golf Club in Ottawa. The second edition of the tournament will see a 16-team field compete over 72 holes for both individual and team honours.

The event receives funding from the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport; the Golf Canada Foundation (Women’s Golf Fund); and Ottawa Tourism.

Admission and parking for the World Junior Girls Golf Championship is free. For more information, visit www.worldjuniorgirls.com.

World’s best female juniors will battle for world supremacy at The Marshes Golf Club from Sept. 20-25, 2015

Oakville, Ont. (Golf Canada) – The stage has been set for the world’s top female junior golfers to put their talent and skill on display at the second annual World Junior Girls Championship.  The Marshes Golf Club in the nation’s capital is set to host the event from September 20-25 as the world’s premier 18-and-under players descend upon Ottawa to compete in both team and individual competition.

“We are thrilled to announce The Marshes Golf Club as hosts of this year’s World Junior Girls Championship. The challenging course and the scenic backdrop of Ottawa will showcase the game’s proud tradition in Canada,” said Tournament Director Mary Beth McKenna.

Situated among wetlands and forests with the Gatineau Hills in the distance, The Marshes is a prime example of the craft and care that Robert Trent Jones Jr. and Sr. put into their course designs. The venerable club has been home to several local and provincial amateur competitions and has hosted five PGA of Canada Senior Championships, most recently in 2009.

Conducted by Golf Canada in partnership with the Golf Association of Ontario and supported by the International Golf Federation, the 2015 edition of the World Junior Girls Championship will bring together 48 of the top 18-and-under female golfers from 15 countries. As hosts of the event, Canada will once again feature two contingents vying for the competition’s top prize.

When asked about having the championship in Ontario again, Golf Association of Ontario’s Executive Director Steve Carroll spoke to the tournament’s ability to grow the game. “It is an honour to host this event in our province for a second consecutive year and we greatly appreciate the support of the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport and the Ottawa Valley Golf Association for this world class championship. It provides us the opportunity to not only develop our athletes on home soil, but to also showcase our great sport and display the amazing golf skills of these incredible athletes.”

The inaugural tournament held last year at Markham, Ont.’s Angus Glen Golf Club saw Team USA claim team honours while Beverly Hills, Calif. native Mika Liu finished atop the leaderboard.

Team Sweden took home silver while Canada One comprised of Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., Naomi Ko of Victoria, B.C. and Grace St-Germain of Ottawa captured bronze. Canada Two, made up of Calgary native Jaclyn Lee, Thornhill, Ont.’s Selena Costabile and Richmond, B.C.’s Alisha Lau finished the tournament in 13^th place.

In addition to the 72-hole team and individual competitions, the World Junior Golf Championship will be a celebration of the sport with a specific focus on developing the game. Before the tournament gets underway, Golf Canada will host a Canadian Sport Institute Ontario (CSIO) coaching summit and a girls skill development clinic.

“As much as this Championship is about competition, it also serves to strengthen the game and increase the profile of golf in Canada,” said Scott Simmons, CEO of Golf Canada. “Conducted in partnership with Ottawa Tourism, this tournament marks the first of many Golf Canada championships to be hosted in our nation’s capital over the next four years.”

The competition’s first round will begin on Tuesday, September 22; the tournament’s closing ceremonies will wrap-up the event on Friday, September 25 with one team and one player being crowned world champions.

ABOUT THE WORLD JUNIOR GIRLS GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP

The World Junior Girls Golf Championship is an annual event conducted by Golf Canada in partnership with the Golf Association of Ontario. The international competition features three-player teams of athletes under the age of 19. As host country, Canada will field two teams in the competition.

In 2015, the competition will be hosted at The Marshes Golf Club in Ottawa. The second edition of the tournament will see a 16-team field compete over 72 holes for both individual and team honours.

The event receives funding from the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport; the Golf Canada Foundation (Women’s Golf Fund); and Ottawa Tourism.

Admission and parking for the World Junior Girls Golf Championship is free. For more information, visit www.worldjuniorgirls.com.

Championship field to feature 48 players from 15 countries including the world’s no. 1 ranked amateur golfer, Brooke Henderson from Smiths Falls, Ont.

 Practice round scheduled for Saturday, September 27^th with tournament rounds running Sunday September 28^th to Wednesday October 1^st

 CN Future Links Skills Challenge National Event to take place on Saturday, September 27^th

Markham, Ont. (Golf Canada) – The world’s best female junior golfers are set to compete in a showcase international competition as the inaugural World Junior Girls Golf Championship will run September 26^th to October 1^st at Angus Glen Golf Club in Markham, Ontario Canada.

An elite field of female junior golfers will compete at the inaugural World Junior Girls Golf Championship which will be conducted by Golf Canada in partnership with the Golf Association of Ontario.

In all, 48 of the world’s top female junior golfers representing 15 different countries worldwide will compete in both a team and individual competition on the South Course at Angus Glen.

The championship features three-player teams of athletes under the age of 19. As host country, Canada will field two teams in the competition.

In addition to a 72-hole competition, the World Junior Girls Golf Championship will include an international golf coaches’ summit, golf clinics and a fundraising golf tournament conducted by the Golf Canada Foundation in partnership with TORONTO 2015. The World Junior Girls Golf Championship will also include the sixth annual CN Future Links Skills Challenge National Event.

Everything you need to know about the World Junior Girls Golf Championship:

The Event:

The inaugural World Junior Girls Golf Championship

Where:

Angus Glen Golf Club (South Course)

10080 Kennedy Road, Markham, Ont., L6C 1N9

www.angusglen.com

When:

Friday, September 26^th to Wednesday, October 1^st 

Admission: 

Free for spectators all week.

Schedule of Events:

Friday, September 26^th  Golf Canada & TORONTO 2015 Fundraising Golf Event (2:00pm)

Coaching Summit – Canadian Sport Institute Ontario (CSIO)

Skill Development Clinic (3:00pm-5:00pm)

Saturday, September 27^th  Championship Practice Round (7:30am – 9:00am)

CN Future Links National Junior Skills Challenge Final (11:00am)

Official Opening Ceremony (5:30pm)

Sunday, September 28^th  Round 1 / Team & Individual (8:00am – 9:17am off 1^st & 10^th tee)

Monday, September 29^th  Round 2 / Team & Individual (8:00am – 9:17am off 1^st & 10^th tee

Tuesday, September 30^th Round 3 / Team & Individual (8:00am – 9:17am off 1^st & 10^th tee

Wednesday, October 1^st  Final Round / Team & Individual (8:00am – 9:17am off 1^st & 10^th tee

Closing Ceremony (immediately following the completion of play –approximately 2:00pm)

Format:

Team Competition: 3 players per country (best 2 out of 3 scores count each day); 72 holes of stroke play; no cut

Individual Competition: 72 holes of stroke play; no cut

Countries represented: 15

(Australia, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, Sweden and USA)

Click here for a full listing of team rosters.

Notables Players Set to Compete:

• Brooke Henderson (Canada) – no. 1 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking; Runner-up at 2014 US & Canadian Amateur; Low Amateur at 2014 US Women’s Open; Low Individual at 2014 World Amateur
• Megan Khang (USA) – no. 40 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking; two-time US Open competitor
• Mika Liu (USA) – no. 48 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking
• Karis Davidson (Australia) – no. 53 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking; 2014 Australian Amateur runner-up
• Angela Yin (USA)– no. 57 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking; medalist at 2014 US Junior Girls
• Nuria Iturrios Servera (Spain) – no. 61 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking; 2012 silver medal & 2013 bronze medal at European Girls Team Championship
• Alice Hewson (England) – no. 75 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking; quarter-finalist at 2014 British Amateur
• Alejandra Pasarin Olalla (Spain) – no. 108 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking
• Inci Mehmet (England) – no. 113 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking
• Puk Lyng Thomsen (Denmark) – no. 129 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking
• Ana Pelaez Trivino (Spain) – no. 131 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking
• Hannah Green (Australia) – no. 156 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking
• So Jin (Jenny) Lee (Australia) – no. 179 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking
• Olivia Mehaffey (Ireland) – no. 227 on World Amateur Golf Ranking; Irish Girls U18 Open Stroke Play champion
• Julianna Alvarez (New Zealand) – no. 260 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking; T10 at the 2014 Youth Olympics
• Naomi Ko (Canada) – no. 279 on World Amateur Golf Ranking; 2014 British Columbia Junior champion
• Jaclyn Lee (Canada) – no. 423 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking; 2014 Alberta Amateur & Junior champion
• Selena Costabile (Canada) – no. 426 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking; 2014 GAO Spring Classic champion
• Maria Fassi (Mexico) – no. 459 on World Amateur Golf Rankings; T13 at the 2014 Youth Olympics
• Sandra Salonen (Finland) – T20 at the 2014 Youth Olympics
• Grace St-Germain (Canada) – no. 472 on World Amateur Golf Ranking; 2014 Canadian Junior Girls champion

Canadians in the Field:

• Brooke Henderson, Smiths Falls, Ont. (17)
• Naomi Ko, Victoria, B.C. (17)
• Grace St-Germain, Ottawa, Ont. (16)
• Jaclyn Lee, Calgary (17)
• Selena Costabile, Thornhill, Ont. (16)
• Alisha Lau, Richmond, B.C. (14)

As the host country, Canada will field two team in the competition – one team will featuring Brooke Henderson, Grace St-Germain and Naomi Ko while the second team includes Jaclyn Lee, Selena Costabile and Alisha Lau. Click here for a listing of Team Canada player bios.

The Canadian teams will be coached by Team Canada Development Squad Women’s Coach Ann Carroll, alongside Reggie Millage, the provincial Head Coach for the Golf Association of Ontario.

Supporting Partners:

A special thank you to our partners who have aligned their brand with the World Junior Girls Golf Championship including the International Golf Federation; the R&A; Sport Canada; the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport; Central Counties; TORONTO 2015; the PGA of Canada and the Golf Canada Foundation.

Conducted by:

Golf Canada in partnership with the Golf Association of Ontario URL: www.worldjuniorgirls.com