Callaway Junior World: Argentina's Grillo triumphs

July 17, 2009 | by Peter Conroy of AmateurGolf.com

Sinks his birdie on 18

16-year-old fires 4-under total to take four-stroke victory at Torrey Pines

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LA JOLLA, Calif. (July 17, 2009) -- The wind was up a bit and the pins at the Callaway Junior World Golf Championship were set up in the same positions they were just over a year ago during the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines, but that didn't intimidate Emiliano Grillo.

The 16-year-old Argentinian calmly overcame a one-stroke deficit by firing a 4-under 68 at the South Course, taking a four-stroke victory over Han Chang-Won of Korea. Grillo finished the 72-hole tourney at 3-under 285.

In doing so, he joins a list of Junior Worlds winners that includes the hero from last year's Open, Tiger Woods.

"I thought about that, it's pretty cool," said Grillo after the round. "Everything was just working for me today."

When 54-hole leader Kurt Kitayama sputtered a bit early in the round, going 4-over through nine, Grillo pounced, carding three birdies and no bogeys over the same stretch to take the lead heading into the back nine.

Grillo refused to give up any ground heading to the finish line, even going for the green in two on the 18th hole with a small pond lurking in front of the green.

"Yeah, I was going for the eagle," he admitted.

He ended up getting up and down from the front fringe for birdie, ending his tourney with an exclamation point.

Kitayama and Wyndham Clark were the top Americans on the leaderboard, finishing tied for third at 5-over.

In the girls 15-17 year old division, Jang Ha-Na cruised to victory at Torrey's North Course, finishing at 11-under 285. She was followed by Thailand's Moriya Jutanugarn (291).

A pair of Californians Danielle Frasier and Danielle Kang, along with Hawaii's Alina Ching were the top Americans at 1-over, tied for 9th.

For full results from the event, which had divisions for golfers as young as 6-and-under, click the link below.

About the Junior World

Callaway Junior World: Argentina's Grillo triumphs

Age Divisions: 15-17, 13-14, 11-12, 9-10, 7-8, 6-under. 72 hole stroke play event for 15-17 division, 54 holes for other divisions. Qualifying required for 15-17, other divisions. Played at multiple courses in the San Diego area. Online application p...

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