The Roar
The Roar

Advertisement

Youngsters dominating the USPGA tour

Expert
2nd November, 2015
0

There have been three tournaments to kick-start the wrap around 2015-16 USPGA season, and three youngsters have become instant millionaires playing superb golf: Emiliano Grillo (23), Smylie Kaufman (24), and Justin Thomas (22).

Argentine Grillo won on his tour debut at the Fry.com opener, beating veteran Kevin Na in a play-off.

Grillo carded an eagle, 18 birdies, and just five bogeys in his 15 under.

Jason Bohn, South African Tyrone van Aswegan, and Justin Thomas finished at 14 under.

American Kaufman is a true rookie who turned pro last year, and the Shriners Hospital for Children Open in Las Vegas was only his fifth start. His final-round 61 was sensational, with an eagle and eight birdies, he was on 59 watch at the turn.

Showing no sign of nerves or pressure, Kaufman held off a strong field to card 16 under with an eagle, 23 birdies, seven bogeys, and a double.

He was challenged by six golfers all through the homeward nine who finished at 15 under – Kevin Na and Jason Bohn for the second successive week, Patton Kizzire, Cameron Tringale, Alex Cejka, and Brett Stegmaier.

Yesterday it was Justin Thomas’ turn to shine in a gripping homeward nine with Adam Scott, who stormed home with a bogey-free 63 in the final round of the CIMB Classic in Kuala Lumpur.

Advertisement

Thomas thought he had blown his chances at the 14th where he double bogeyed after finding water. But despite his tender years, Thomas birdied 15, 16, and 17 to hit the front and parred the last.

Thomas carded two eagles, 30 birdies, six bogeys, and that double in his 26 under.

Scott, using a regulation putter, fired in three eagles, 24 birdies, and five bogeys in his 25 under to be so close to winning for the first time since May last year, when he took out the Crown Plaza Invitational at Colonial in a play-off with Jason Dufner.

The incredibly consistent Kevin Na again featured on the CIMB leaderboard at 24 under with Brendan Steele.

We’ll hear a lot more about Justin Thomas, who in his rookie USPGA season last year had seven top 10s, and 15 top 25s.

A close mate of Jordan Spieth, another 22-year-old who won the Masters and US Open this year, Thomas has major winner written all over him.

He’s currently ranked 64 in the world, but not for long.

Advertisement
close