Koo paces U.S. girls to record 11-shot romp; tiebreaker needed to settle boys' crow
TOYOTA CITY, Japan (June 21, 2024) — As Jasmine Koo headed home from last year’s
Toyota Junior Golf World Cup supported by Japan Airlines, she voiced a desire to comeback and “conquer” Chukyo Golf Club in the way Japan’s titleholders hadConsider it mission accomplished

Even with a couple of slips down Friday’s stretch, Koo not only repeatedly put her stamp on
the record book in capturing the girls’ individual title but was the catalyst that emphaticallyended the United States’ title drought with a stunning 11-shot romp

“This is probably the biggest junior event there is,” said Koo, whose closing 2-under-par 70
also gave her the event’s 54-hole scoring record. “To come back and win it — this is sospecial, because golf (can be) such an individual sport“I think the individual title is great,” she added, “but the happiness comes from our teamwinning. Our entire team can share in it.

The U.S. boys very nearly made it a double triumph, actually tying Korea at the top of theteam leaderboard but falling short in a tiebreaker. With two of three scores counting eachday toward the team total, the rst tiebreaker was Friday’s third score — where Korea’s
Jaehyun Park bested Jackson Byrd by two

Korea claimed its second championship in the event’s 30-year annals, the other taking
place in 2003

“When we won in 2003, everybody was very happy,” said Korean captain Namyang Hur.
“Since then we have been trying to win another, but without success. Now we are thrilled towin again.

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The result literally came down to the nal putt, where Billy Davis faced a 12-footer to give
Team USA an outright victory. His attempt had the speed, but curled off in the nal feet”         U.S. GIRLS, KOREA BOYS CAPTURE TOYOTA JUNIOR GOLF WORLD CU

Hur’s reaction? “I wasn’t watching,” he said with a laughJapan’s Mao Matsuyama brought some hardware to the host nation by claiming the boys’
individual title on a day that began in rain and ended in bright sunshine. A 3-under-par 68
was enough to seal a two-stroke victory over Davis, nishing at 14-under 199“I like the rain,” said Matsuyama, who made four birdies on the front nine before the skies
began to clear. “The greens were a little softer, which helped me with my iron play.

Rain also had drenched the course Tuesday, forcing cancellation of a round for just thesecond time in Junior World Cup history and shortening the event to 54 holes. Not that itmuch kept Koo and her U.S. teammates from taking dead aim at the record book

The previous record for largest margin of victory was 10 shots, when Japan won the 2018
title over 72 holes. The U.S. girls began Friday four shots clear of their nearest pursuers,then watched the gap grow on the way to nish at 27-under-par 405“I’m just so proud of everyone,” said Nikki Oh, whose Friday 66 made up for any
momentum Koo might have lost. “We all played really solid all week, just stuck to our gameplan. I’m super excited.

Friday marked the rst U.S. team title since sweeping both crowns in 2017

Koo, whose 64 on Thursday rewrote the girls’ single-round record, nished at 16-under 200
to break the 54-hole scoring mark set a year ago by Japan’s Yuna Araki

For a time, the Californian looked like she might obliterate the mark — reaching 18-underdespite two bogeys shortly after the turn. However, she endured a watery double bogey at
No. 18”

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“Obviously it was a great week,” said Koo, who was low amateur at the LPGA’s Chevron.          “I actually hit a really good putt,” said Davis, whose third consecutive 67 left him second forthe individual title. “I just misread it.

Even so, Koo’s performance set a high standard for anyone to follow. In seven rounds over
two years on the Ishino course, she posted a 66 or better in four of themThailand, making its Junior World Cup debut, used a strong nal round to push past Japanfor runner-up honors. Pimpisa Rubrong led the way with a closing 71, grabbing a share ofthird individually“This is a dream for our nation,” said Thailand coach Pompetch Saraputhi. “We’ve worked
so hard and when we quali ed, we were so happy. We made this a major for our nationalteam.

Japan’s Mamika Shinchi took second individually behind Koo, nishing four shots backafter a closing 70. The Japanese team was hamstrung for a second consecutive day whenback pain left Aina Fujimoto unable to play, meaning the scores of Shinchi and Nana Hidori
would count regardless“It’s unfortunate because Aina is a strong player,” said Shinchi, winner of the Australian
Women’s Amateur. “I thought there was going to be a lot of pressure, but it wasn’t that badonce we started.

The Toyota Junior Golf World Cup is the nal stop of a process that began with 70 national
teams entered in regional quali ers across six continents. The boys’ eld featured 12 teams
competing for the championship; nine teams advanced to the girls’ nals

“Everyone here this week should be commended for their wonderful display of golf skills
and outstanding sportsmanship,” said William Kerdyk, chairman of the tournament
committee. “More importantly, each has represented their countries with dignity and honor.

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More information about the Toyota Junior Golf World Cup Supported by Japan Airlines canbe found online at WJGTC.org, including a video library that includes interviews with former
participants.

fi        Championship. “Today I had no expectations because I hardly ever play in the rain. I played
really good in the opening holes and when the skies cleared, I think I just (exhaled). I
de nitely think I got too comfortable.