Tasmania, Australia: Australian Ann Jang and New Zealander Zack Swanwick have made significant rises in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) on the back of their respective triumphs in the Australian Junior Amateur.
New South Wales Golf Club representative Jang retained the lead she first took on day two of the championships at Tasmania Golf Club to win the girls’ event by four shots. In so doing, she has soared 124 spots to 705th in the WAGR.
For his part, Swanwick, from Napier Golf Club on New Zealand’s north island, closed with a two-under 70 to win by four shots. He has gone up 25 spots to 163rd in the men’s standings.
By virtue of their victories, 15-year-old Jang and 17-year-old Swanwick have also been handed starting spots in the 2023 ISPS Handa Australian Open, giving them the opportunity to play against professionals at The Australian in Sydney.
Jang emigrated to Australia from Korea with her family when she was 11. She now lives in north-western Sydney and is due to take up a spot at Endeavour Sports High School this year.
In Tasmania, Jang posted a four-round total of nine-under 283 (71-67-73-72). Second place went to New Zealand’s Eunseo Choi, who bogeyed the final hole to finish on 287.
“I knew that I had the lead, but I was nervous right to the last hole,” said Jang, the 2021 New South Wales Junior Amateur champion. “It feels unreal. It’s so exciting. I’m so happy. There was a bit of pressure because she (Choi) is so good. But I tried to do what I needed to do, stay focused on my ball and not on the score.”
Following his success, Swanwick returned home immediately to attend final-year classes at Taradale High School. He has been offered a golf scholarship at the University of Florida in 2024.
“I was just out there having fun this week. If I’m not having fun, I get too stressed. I think the key for me was that I was able to enjoy it and take in the nice weather,” said Swanwick who was a model of consistency with rounds of 72-67-65-70.
*Report by Golf Australia
