Kent’s Jack Lee made history at the Peter McEvoy Trophy last night as he became the first player to defend the illustrious junior open title.
FORMAT: 72-hole stroke play
The tournament was started by the former Walker Cup star in 1981 and previous winners include Peter Baker, Lee Westwood and Justin Rose. Hertfordshire’s Wayne Henry is the only other double winner (84/87).
Lee won by four shots in September and this time around, with the event reverting back to its traditional place in the golf calendar, he closed things out impressively, finishing two shots clear of Somerset’s Freddie Turnell (Burnham & Berrow) and Sussex’s Harry Malin (Bognor Regis).
Before the event started on Thursday, organisers gave the The Rochester & Cobham Park player the heads up re his opportunity to create a tournament first.
And, despite a little wobble on 11 and 12 in the final round, he closed things out with a birdie at the last to finish four under par overall.
“I had a good gameplan and I made a good start so even though I bogeyed three times in five holes it didn’t bother me too much,” said the Rochester & Cobham Park player.
“I knew I was four shots ahead starting the back nine and also knew there were good opportunties coming late in the round.”
Lee also birdied 14 and learned on the 16th he had a one-shot lead. He parred that hole and just missed for birdie on the 17th before driving to within 30 yards of the last and pitching to three feet.
The 18-year-old started the final round with a three-shot advantage and, after bogeying the second, responded in superb fashion at the next hole. With the pin moved back he was able to hit a full six iron at the long par three and secured a superb two after holing from 12 feet.
Lee added: “I set myself the goal of playing the first six in level par so that birdie was really helpful in making sure I was exactly where I wanted to be.”
The champion took advantage of the short par five seventh to get under par for his round and also birdied the next.
Around the turn he came back towards the chasing pack after bogeys at nine, 11 and 12 but was never headed despite the best efforts of Turnell, who went bogey-free in closing with a 68 (-3) while Malin got into contention around the turn but a bogey on 17 proved costly and he finished with a 69.