Cara meets Darren at the R & A Junior
The Junior Open, played at Fairhaven Golf Club, Lytham St Annes, was won by 16 year old Asuka Kashiwabara, from Japan. She is the first girl ever to win the Junior Open, and her amazing winning margin of 14 strokes after 54 holes is also a record for the tournament.
Two South Africans Cara Gorlei and Thriston Lawrence competed but failed to qualify when then the cut was reduced from 80 to 33 players due to incessant rain. They are pictured here with defending Open Champion Darren Clarke.This event is contested by both boys and girls under the age of 16 from around the world. Asuka’s final score of 206 (16 under par) included a new women’s course record of 66 in her first round (8 under par), which she followed with two more sub-par rounds of 69 and 71. Rain marred the first two days of play and South Africa’s Cara Gorlei from Western Province struggled in what she said was the wettest conditions she has ever played in. However, she followed her first round 83 with a 76. Unfortunately, the rain caused a suspension of play on Day 2, which meant the second round had to finish the following day. This also meant that instead of the leading 80 and ties after 36 holes qualifying for the final round, the cut was reduced to the leading 33 players. A very disappointed Cara missed this by one shot! Thriston Lawrence, the South African boy selected by the SAGA, posted scores of 77, 83 (160) and tied 38th after 36 holes.
SAGA President, Colin Burger, is accompanying the two South African players, and they are all enjoying the opportunity of attending The Open Championship at Royal Lytham & St Annes. The Junior Open is sponsored by the R&A, and a total of 120 players from around the world participated in this event.
Results after 36 Holes:
Cara Gorlei: 83, 76 = 159 (tied 34th)
Thriston Lawrence: 77, 83 = 160 (tied 38th)