Vick claims Jr Players title after rain delay, playoff
9/2/2018 | by American Junior Golf Association
see also: Junior Players Championship, TPC at Sawgrass - Stadium Course
Travis Vick claimed the first AJGA title of his career at the Junior Players Championship, his 21st AJGA start
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Florida – Travis Vick has his first AJGA victory. To get it, Vick had to survive a rain delay and a three-way playoff on a PGA Tour venue, TPC Sawgrass’ Stadium Course in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.
Vick, who was tied for the lead coming into the final round, carded a final-round 2-under-par 70 to get into a playoff with Akshay Bhatia of Wake Forest, N.C., and Bo Jin of (China) Encinitas, Calif. The trio played No. 18 as the first hole of the sudden-death playoff. Bhatia made par on the hole while Jin chipped in from the front of the green and Vick sank a 12-footer, both for birdie, to extend the playoff to No. 16. Jin found trouble off the tee and went on to bogey as Vick found the green in two and two-putted for birdie.
“Sitting on the lead is kind of tough,” Vick said. “Being tied with Akshay, I knew I had to play really good golf. I started off really well and made some good par saves, so it was nice to be able to go into the playoff and win.”
Vick’s instinct was right on. Bhatia has been one of junior golf’s hottest players this year. He won the Sage Valley Junior Invitational, the Polo Golf Junior Classic and defended his title at the Junior PGA Championship. Bhatia lost in the finals at the U.S. Junior.
“I’ve been playing AJGA events since I was 11 and I have finished second about six different times,” Vick said. “Being able finish and win here at TPC Sawgrass was really something special.”
Vick, who was tied for the lead coming into the final round, carded a final-round 2-under-par 70 to get into a playoff with Akshay Bhatia of Wake Forest, N.C., and Bo Jin of (China) Encinitas, Calif. The trio played No. 18 as the first hole of the sudden-death playoff. Bhatia made par on the hole while Jin chipped in from the front of the green and Vick sank a 12-footer, both for birdie, to extend the playoff to No. 16. Jin found trouble off the tee and went on to bogey as Vick found the green in two and two-putted for birdie.
Vick’s instinct was right on. Bhatia has been one of junior golf’s hottest players this year. He won the Sage Valley Junior Invitational, the Polo Golf Junior Classic and defended his title at the Junior PGA Championship. Bhatia lost in the finals at the U.S. Junior.
Vick shot a final round 2-under-par 70 to go along with his two previous rounds of 68-70 for a tournament-total 8-under-par 208. The University of Texas verbal commit now has played in 21 AJGA events with this being his first victory.Playoff survived. The #JrPLAYERS champ, Travis Vick. pic.twitter.com/OtU8r44SWF
— AJGA (@AJGAGolf) September 3, 2018
“I’ve been playing AJGA events since I was 11 and I have finished second about six different times,” Vick said. “Being able finish and win here at TPC Sawgrass was really something special.”
About the Junior Players
One of the AJGA series of tournaments that require an invitation to participate. Format is 54 holes of stroke play.
Most Popular Articles
2025 PGA TOUR Q-School Guide: Sites, Scores, and Who Advanced
Dec 5, 2025Second Stage is complete and Final Stage awaits at Sawgrass — follow every Q-School leaderboard and the players still chasing
2025 LPGA TOUR Q-Series: Final Qualifying Stage FINAL SCORING
Dec 8, 2025Helen Briem earns medalist honors, 31 players headed to the LPGA next year
2025 PGA TOUR Q-School Final Stage: Ewart Leads Five New TOUR Card Winners
Dec 14, 2025A.J. Ewart topped Final Stage at TPC Sawgrass, leading five players who secured PGA TOUR membership for 2026.
Australian Open at Royal Melbourne: Preview, amateur bios, and how to watch
Nov 30, 2025Rory McIlroy headlines one of the championship's top fields in years - at least four amateurs will have their chance at glory
Inside Gil Hanse’s Restoration of Baltusrol’s Upper Course: A Return to Tillinghast’s
Dec 11, 2025Renowned architect Gil Hanse reveals how he brought Baltusrol’s Upper Course back to life by honoring A.W. Tillinghast’s original