Golf Canada – Saso shoots 70 to claim individual medallist

 

MISSISSAUGA, Ont. – The sun beamed through at Mississaugua Golf and Country Club to crown the Philippines as World Junior Girls team champions. Yuka Saso battled through a gusty day to claim individual medallist honours at the third edition of the annual event.

“I feel happy and honoured to win this trophy and this tournament,” said the 15-year-old Saso. “I feel happy [to be the gold medalist] because I was not expecting it, with this being [the Philippines’] first time in this tournament. Winning with this group is special because we have known each other since we were kids, so it makes me really happy.”

The native of Santa Rosa put forth another steady showing with a trio of birdies en route to a 2-under 70 final round. With a four-day total of 2-under 286, she completed the competition as the lone player to finish under-par. Alongside teammates Harmie Nicole Constantino of Taguig and Sofia Angela Legaspi from Quezon City, the trio combined to total 2-over 578 across the championship’s four rounds.

“This is the best feeling,” said Constantino, when asked about the team victory. “It is unexplainable to me, because no one expected it. We played our games and it turned out really well. We never had any doubts, we came here to win and we did.”

The significance of the tournament and the victory was not lost upon the 15-year-old Legaspi.

“It really means a lot to win this big event. It gives us a lot of experience and confidence. It also helps to get us college scholarships, so it is a big deal. The win could also inspire younger golfers in the Philippines to work hard and travel to events like this.”

The contingent representing last year’s winners, Team Korea, finished second – nine-strokes shy of the Philippines. The winners of the inaugural World Junior Girls Championship in 2014, Team USA, claimed third.

Jennifer Chang of Cary, N.C., opened the day with a share of sixth alongside Caterina Don of San Pietro Val Lemina, Italy. A 2-under performance propelled the 17-year-old Chang into the runner-up position, while a 71 moved the 15-year-old Don into third.

Céleste Dao from Notre-Dame-de-L’Île-Perrot, Que., and Richmond Hill, Ont., native Monet Chun shot identical 75s to finish with shares of 16th as the top Canadians.

“Despite some difficult weather, we have had an exciting and memorable week,” said Tournament Director Mary Beth McKenna. “From our Junior Girls Skills Clinic and Coaching Summit with the PGA of Canada to a fantastic Junior-Amateur event with the Mississauga community and the tournament itself – we have showcased our sport in a positive light. I know all of our players have learned and grown through this competition and have gained some invaluable international experience.”

Additional information on the 2016 World Junior Girls Championship can be found on the tournament’s official website at www.worldjuniorgirls.com.

A selection of images from the final round of competition is available for download here. When making use of the images, please credit (Herb Fung/ Golf Canada).

2016 WORLD JUNIOR GIRLS CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS – INDIVIDUAL

• 1. Yuka Saso, Philippines, *66-77-73-70-286 -2
• 2. Jennifer Chang, United States of America, *73-72-77-70-292 +4
• 3. Caterina Don, Italy, *72-72-78-71-293 +5
• 4. Harmie Nicole Constantino, Philippines, *69-75-75-75-294 +6
• 4. Hee-Jung Lim, Korea, *73-71-75-75-294 +6
• 6. Du Mohan, China, *73-70-76-76-295 +7
• 6. Hae-Ran Ryu, Korea, *78-71-74-72-295 +7
• 8. Isobel Wardle, England, *74-74-75-74-297 +9
• 9. Mathilde Fredensborg, Denmark, *74-73-77-74-298 +10
• 10. Amanda Linnér, Sweden, *74-73-76-76-299 +11
• 11. Maja Stark, Sweden, *74-71-83-72-300 +12
• 11. Esther Henseleit, Germany, *71-76-73-80-300 +12
• 11. Min-Gyeong Youn, Korea, *77-74-75-74-300 +12
• 14. Celine Borge, Norway, *74-71-82-74-301 +13
• 14. Mathilde Claisse, France, *77-74-77-73-301 +13
• 16. Céleste Dao, Canada 2, *77-73-77-75-302 +14
• 16. Anna Backman, Finland, *78-80-72-72-302 +14
• 16. Monet Chun, Canada 1, *72-79-76-75-302 +14
• 16. Sophie Lamb, England, *76-73-81-72-302 +14
• 16. Mika Liu, United States of America, *75-75-76-76-302 +14
• 21. Isabella Fierro, Mexico, *73-77-77-76-303 +15
• 22. Candice Mahe, France, *74-80-78-72-304 +16
• 22. Stephanie Astrup, Denmark, *74-77-79-74-304 +16
• 22. Angelica Moresco, Italy, *77-73-77-77-304 +16
• 25. Emily Price, England, *78-75-80-72-305 +17
• 26. Elizabeth Wang, United States of America, *73-74-82-77-306 +18
• 27. Alexandra Föersterling, Germany, *77-75-77-78-307 +19
• 28. Madelene Stavnar, Norway, *76-77-78-77-308 +20
• 28. Cecilie Finne-Ipsen, Denmark, *75-75-79-79-308 +20
• 28. Jin Man, China, *73-76-78-81-308 +20
• 31. Elina Saksa, Finland, *78-68-82-81-309 +21
• 32. Chloe Currie, Canada 1, *79-75-78-79-311 +23
• 33. Hannah Lee, Canada 2, *77-73-86-76-312 +24
• 33. Raquel Olmos Ros, Spain, *79-76-79-78-312 +24
• 33. Aline Krauter, Germany, *82-75-78-77-312 +24
• 36. Teresa Díez Moliner, Spain, *75-80-82-76-313 +25
• 37. Isabella Portokalis, Canada 2, *77-78-84-75-314 +26
• 37. Paula Neira Garcia, Spain, *82-84-75-73-314 +26
• 39. Daniella Barrett, Finland, *79-75-86-77-317 +29
• 39. Elisabeth Codet, France, *82-77-78-80-317 +29
• 41. Ana Laura Collado, Mexico, *79-86-78-76-319 +31
• 42. Han Yucen, China, *82-76-78-84-320 +32
• 43. Mary Parsons, Canada 1, *74-84-84-80-322 +34
• 44. Sofia Angela Legaspi, Philippines, *84-75-85-80-324 +36
• 45. Ana Isabel González, Mexico, *89-75-79-83-326 +38

2016 WORLD JUNIOR GIRLS CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS – TEAM

• 1. Team Philippines – Yuka Saso, Harmie Nicole Constantino, Sofia Angela Legaspi, *135-150-148-145-578 +2
• 2. Team Korea – Hee-Jung Lim, Hae-Ran Ryu, Min-Gyeong Youn, *150-142-149-146-587 +11
• 3. Team USA – Mika Liu, Jennifer Chang, Elizabeth Wang, *146-146-153-146-591 +15
• 4. Team Italy – Angelica Moresco, Alessia Nobilio, Caterina Don, *149-145-154-145-593 +17
• 5. Team England – Sophie Lamb, Emily Price, Isobel Wardle, *150-147-155-144-596 +20
• 6. Team Sweden – Linn Grant, Amanda Linnér, Maja Stark, *148-144-159-148-599 +23
• 7. Team Denmark – Cecilie Finne-Ipsen, Mathilde Fredensborg, Stephanie Astrup, *148-148-156-148-600 +24
• 8. Team Finland – Elina Saksa, Daniella Barrett, Anna Backman, *156-143-154-149-602 +26
• 8. Team France – Mathilde Claisse, Elisabeth Codet, Candice Mahe, *151-151-155-145-602 +26
• 10. Team China – Jin Man, Han Yucen, Du Mohan, *146-146-154-157-603 +27
• 10. Team Germany – Esther Henseleit, Alexandra Föersterling, Aline Krauter, *148-150-150-155-603 +27
• 12. Team Canada One – Chloe Currie, Mary Parsons, Monet Chun, *146-154-154-154-608 +32
• 13. Team Norway – Celine Borge, Madelene Stavnar, 150-148-160-151-609 +33
• 14. Team Canada Two – Céleste Dao, Hannah Lee, Isabella Portokalis, *154-146-161-150-611 +35
• 14. Team Mexico – Isabella Fierro, Ana Laura Collado, Ana Isabel González, *152-152-155-152-611 +35
• 16. Team Spain – Paula Neira Garcia, Raquel Olmos Ros, Teresa Díez Moliner, *154-156-154-149-613 +37

– 30 –

ABOUT THE WORLD JUNIOR GIRLS GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP
The World Junior Girls Golf Championship is an annual event conducted by Golf Canada in partnership with Golf Ontario. The international competition features three-player teams of 18-and-under athletes. As host country, Canada will field two of the tournament’s 16 teams competing 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); Sport Canada; and the R&A. Admission and parking for the World Junior Girls Golf Championship is free. For more information, visit www.worldjuniorgirls.com.

ABOUT GOLF ONTARIO
Golf Ontario is Ontario’s Provincial Sport Organization focused on enhancing participation, elevating performance and supporting the passion of golfers in Ontario. With over 100,000 individual members and 450 member clubs, Golf Ontario is one of the largest golf associations in the world. From rating courses and keeping the integral rules of the game intact, to growing the game at the grassroots level and getting the game of golf into our school systems, to keeping the Ontario golf community aware of all relevant issues and hosting the best amateur tournaments in Canada, Golf Ontario is a passionate group dedicated to making golf better for everyone in Ontario. We share a love and passion for golf, while preserving its past, fostering its future, and championing golf’s best interests for everyone who enjoys the sport.

GOLF CANADA – LOVE THE GAME. GROW THE GAME.
Golf Canada is the National Sports Federation and governing body for golf in Canada representing close to 310,000 golfers at more than 1,400 member clubs across the country. A proud member of the Canadian Olympic Committee, Golf Canada’s mission is to grow participation, excellence and passion in the sport while upholding the integrity and traditions of the game. By investing in the growth of the sport and introducing more participants of all ages to the game, our goal is to be relevant to and respected by all Canadian golf enthusiasts from coast to coast. For more information about what Golf Canada is doing to support golf in your community, visit www.golfcanada.ca.

For more information:

Herb Fung
Coordinator, Media and Public Relations
Golf Canada
(t) 1-800-263-0009 x 258
(c) 647-709-3167
(e) hfung@golfcanada.ca

Darren Matte
Coordinator, Communications and Marketing
Golf Ontario
(t) 905-706-6538
(e) dmatte@gao.ca