Perthshire’s Connor Graham performed pitch good golf to stunningly be topped Junior Open champion 2022.
The Blairgowrie member proudly sat high of the leaderboard among the many world’s finest under-16 gamers when the celebrated event, held at Monifieth, completed on Wednesday.
Connor (15) carded extremely spectacular rounds of 69, 67 and 67 for a 13-under par whole, 5 pictures away from second-placed Ratchanon Chantananuwat from Thailand.
All nations affiliated to the R&A are invited to enter their finest U16 boy and lady, with the occasion intently linked to The Open. However Connor was the standout performer.
“So far as wins goes, this has bought to be up there with one in all my finest to date,” he beamed, talking to the PA.
“And particularly on efficiency due to the best way I performed. I don’t suppose I’ve performed nearly as good as that for 54 holes straight earlier than.
“Tee to inexperienced I used to be very strong after which the putter began warming up within the final two rounds, holing a number of extra putts.
“I had the lead by a few pictures going into the ultimate spherical however I saved making an attempt to attain as little as potential and hit as many good pictures as potential.
“It feels actually good to have the ability to win such a giant occasion with a powerful discipline of the very best under-16 gamers on this planet.
“It’s an enormous confidence booster figuring out I can play that effectively and shoot low scores constantly.”
Connor was offered the trophy at a ceremony shortly after his memorable triumph - cheered on by followers of Scottish golf and naturally his delighted family and friends.
He smiled: “I’ve had a number of individuals congratulating me, sure.”
And he added: “I had fairly a number of family and friends out watching, so it was particular to get the job completed in entrance of them.”
Among the many previous winners of the Junior Open is Patrick Reed of the USA, who moved on to win The Masters and play within the Ryder Cup.
Connor, after all, has his sights set on enjoying in The Open someday and is decided to proceed placing within the laborious work.
“I’m working my method in direction of enjoying in a kind of,” he mentioned. “I really feel I’m getting nearer.
“I’m simply going to maintain working laborious and getting ready for the subsequent occasions.”
Blairgowrie Excessive scholar Connor’s profile within the sport is rising the entire time and, regardless of his younger years, he not too long ago represented Scotland’s males on the European Novice Group Championship.
He defined: “That was an awesome expertise for me to play on the Scotland males’s group.
“It was virtually the most important novice occasion in Europe with so many high gamers.”
The busy schedule continues as, subsequent week, Connor jets out to Finland to organize for the European Younger Masters.
“I don’t have an excessive amount of time without work,” Connor smiled.