American teenager follows in Tiger’s footsteps with junior win

TEENAGER Cory Whitsett followed in the footsteps of Tiger Woods by winning the US junior title aged 15 in Augusta, Missouri, on Saturday.

In an all-Texan final at Boone Valley Golf Club, Houston resident Whitsett crushed Dallas-based Anthony Paolucci 8 and 7.

Left-hander Whitsett became the fifth 15-year-old to clinch the prestigious title after Woods (1991), Sihwan Kim (2004), Henry Liaw (2001) and Mike Brannan (1971).

“It’s going to be pretty cool to know that no matter what happens my name will be there,” Whitsett told reporters after sealing victory on the 29th hole. “I wanted to go out and win if I had come this far.

“I played well enough, which is basically all that matters.”

Whitsett, who hit 17 of 23 fairways and reached 19 of 29 greens in the championship final, took control by forging five up after 18 holes.

He stretched his lead to eight when Paolucci three-putted the 28th hole from 25 feet and the match was decided on the next hole after Whitsett chipped to within three feet of the flag.

Whitsett automatically qualifies for next year’s British amateur championship. With Paolucci, he also gains exemption for the August 20-26 US amateur at the Olympic Club in San Francisco, California.