Happy New Year!

Blake Soni wins CJGA World Junior Challenge Championship at Reunion

The winner of this 54 hole championship three-day contest with a score of 214 (-2) was Blake Soni with a final round of 71. Soni, who had to fend off Curtis Griffiths (England) who had been in second place since the opening day. “It was tough playing in the final group because one of the other players birdied the first three holes,” said the American, “I just played steady golf and managed to pull through.” The play of Jianfeng Ye (China) and Davis Schaller (Celebration, FL) was very strong as Ye finished with a 70 (-2) to move into second place and Schaller earned a third place finish.

England’s Curtis Griffiths and Josh White both had disappointing final rounds of 81 and 78 respectively to finish nine and tenth.

For full results click here.

Wattel wins Orange Bowl after three hole play-off

Romain Wattel of France defeated Argentina’s Emilano Grillo in a three-hole playoff, after finishing tied after 72 holes on 7-under par 273. Both scored 67s in the final round.  Third-round leader, Italy’s Matteo Manassero, the British Amateur Champion, finished one stroke behind on 274 after posting  a one over 71.

Wattel last month won the Argentinian Amateur Championship.

England’s Jonathan Bell had a disappointing final round 80 to finish in 30th place.

For Full results click here.

Curtis Griffiths two shots off lead at Reunion

With overnight leader Tanapol Vattanapisit (Thailand) disqualified. A second round par  72 from Curtis Griffiths took him within two shots of the lead in the CJGA World Challeenge at Reunion in Florida. American Blake Soni leads the tournament after a 68 at one under par. Josh White moved up to sixth place with 73.

For full results click here.

Bell moves up the field as Manassero goes clear in Florida

Jonathan Bell’s 71 took him up to tenth place in the Junior Orange Bowl third round yesterday. However, a two under par 68 from Matteo Manassero took him three shots clear of the field. Tied in second place is Emiliano Grillo from Argentina after a 66 and Frenchman Romain Wattel.

For full results and live leaderboard click here.

Curtis Griffiths tied second in Florida

England Under 18 Squad Member Curtis Griffiths is tied second in the CJGA World Junior Challenge presented by GolfWeek at Renuion Club, Florida after a one over par 73.

Tanapol Vattanapisit (Thailand) earned a five-stroke lead by shooting 36-32 – 68 (-4). “The course played very tough today because of the wind,” commented Vattanapisit, “I played great and made a lot of putts. Hopefully tomorrow will be better.” Chasing Vattanapisit will be England’s National Under 18 squad member, Curtis Griffiths (England), and Luiz Jacinto (Brazil) who are currently tied for second place with a first round score of 73 (+1). Former England Boy International Josh white of Surrey is tied eighth after a four over par 76

For full results click here

Manassero maintains lead in the Orange Bowl

A second round score of level par 70 maintained a one stoke lead for British Amateur Champion Matteo Manassero at the Junior Orange Bowl in Miami. His five under par total takes him one clear of America’s Tim Lovelady and two ahead of fellow Italian Andrea Bolognesi.

England’s Jonathan Bell moved up the field into 14th position with a two over par 72.

For full results and live leaderboard click here.

Manassero leads Orange Bowl

Italy’s Matteo Manassero carded a 5 under par 65 to lead the Junior Orange Bowl by two stokes after the first round in Florida. A group of three players share second place including fellow Italian Andrea Bolognesi and Frenchman Romain Wattel.

England’s Jonathan Bell shot a one over par 71 that included four birdies and 5 bogeys leaving him 17th place.

For live scoring and leaderboard click here.

Jonathan Bell looks for a ‘Happy New Year’ in Miami

Jonathan Bell lines up in a world class field at the The Biltmore Golf Course, Coral Gables, Miami, Florida in the 72 hole annual Orange Bowl Junior International starting on 27th December. The starting line up includes: Thomas Cocha from Argentina, Amateur Champion Matteo Manassero from Italy. USA’s Daniel Lee and Frenchman Romain Wattel, recent winner of the Argentinian Amateur Championship.

Tiger Woods, Camilo Villegas, Pablo Martin and Mark Calcavecchia are all previous winners of the prestigious tournament.

Jonathan fresh from his win at the Faldo Grand Final in Brazil will be looking to go one better than England’s Stiggy Hodgson who was runner-up in 2008. For more information and tee times and live scoring click here.

A Christmas message