Rising Otago star Yoonae Jeong is preparing for an experience of a lifetime.
The Futures Wakatipu player and regular Otago No 2 is in Scotland to get ready for one of the leading junior events in world golf.
Jeong and Canterbury prodigy Cooper Moore are to represent New Zealand at the Kilmarnock Golf Club, where they will compete against the world’s best young golfers at the Royal and Ancient Junior Open Championship, which is played every two years.
This is a precursor to the British Open at Royal Troon, which both youngsters will have the opportunity to stay for and enjoy watching the world’s best in action.
It will be a huge step up for Jeong but she has been in excellent form in open events this year.
She won the Southland strokeplay, finished second in the Otago tournament, and was third in Auckland and fourth in Canterbury.
Recently, she matched the yellow tee course record at the Queenstown Golf Club held by fellow Futures Wakatipu member Sumin Kang.
On the par-73 course, Jeong shot an outstanding 68.
Moore is a familiar face in the South.
He won the Otago men’s strokeplay at the age of 15 last summer a year after finishing second in a playoff.
Moore is fresh off the Queensland junior championship at Nudgee Golf Club, where he finished third to win his first Golf Australia medal.
His consistent play over the four rounds with scores of 71, 71, 71 and 73 was an excellent way to prepare for a bigger event.
Moore, who plays at the Clearwater club, said he was eager to test out his game at the Junior Open Championship.
"It will be a different experience being my first time to that side of the world.
‘‘I hear the weather isn’t always the greatest but it is going to be great to watch the Open and see the world’s best do their thing. It will be an eye-opener for what I want to do in the future."
Kilmarnock is a links course, and Moore said his only experience of links golf had been at Paraparaumu.
The Junior Open runs from July 15 to 17, while the British Open begins on July 18.
By Neville Idour
