With a 4-over-par total of 220 for the three rounds, Callum Judkins (Wakatipu Junior) finished in a tie for fifth at the New Zealand under-19 championship played on the Bridge Pa course in Hastings last week.
Judkins (17) carded 73, 73 and 75 on the par-72 course. He had a good front nine during his final round which put him one shot off the pace, but he bogeyed three of the holes coming home which dropped him down the leaderboard to fifth.
The event was won by Mako Thompson (Maraenui), who finished on 3 under to take the title by two shots from Hiroki Miya (Russley) and Jake Lee (Muriwai).
Judkins has had a good year in age-group events, having posted 69 and 70 at Balclutha in April to win the Otago under-23 and under-19 events.
His low scoring could put him in the frame for Otago senior selection and he will play at No 3 in the Otago under-19 and under-16 composite team which will compete in the national junior interprovincial at Cambridge at the start of October.
Jack Turner (Wakatipu Junior) finished in a tie for 26th after fighting back from an opening round of 80 with 74 and 73.
The two Queenstown boys were the only players from a seven-strong Otago contingent to play in the final round after scoring below the cut of 160 set after the first two rounds.
