Kiwis complete good weeks in China

Wellington golfer Julianne Alvarez has completed a solid week at the Second Youth Olympics in Nanjing, China.

The 18-year-old from the Manor Park Golf Club carded a two-over par 74 in the final round at the Nanjing Zhongshan International Golf Club to finish in seventh place.

Alvarez, former New Zealand Amateur Champion, ended the week on a one-over par total, 15 shots back from the Korean golfer Soyoung Lee who claimed the gold medal by three shots.

The Sacred Heart Head Girl gave herself a lot of birdie opportunities in the final round but was disappointed with her putting performance.

“Whenever you finish a competition, you always feel like you could have done more,” said Alvarez after her round.

“I’m pretty happy with my performance, but I still had a bit of trouble on the greens.”

Meanwhile Waikato golfer Nick Coxon also shot a two-over par 74 in the final round to finish in 15^th place.

Coxon, who was playing in his second Youth Olympics, was disappointed with his final round effort as he finished on an even par total, 11 shots back from Renato Paratore who claimed the gold medal.

The 18-year-old from the Riverside Golf Club had an up and down final round that included two double bogeys, one bogey and three birdies.

Coxon and Alvarez will now turn their attention to their final event at the Youth Olympics where they will combine for the mixed team’s event from Sunday August 24.

The Youth Olympic Games marks golf’s return to the stable of Olympic sports.  Golf was an Olympic sport in only two Games – 1900 and 1904 – and in 2009, the International Olympic Committee decided to reinstate the sport for the 2016 Summer Olympics.

Meanwhile closer to home, New Zealand rep Munchin Keh has recorded a top-10 finish at the Malaysian Ladies Amateur Open.

The Auckland No.1 carded rounds of 73, 72 and 78 at the Sungai Long Golf and Country Club to finish in seventh place.

The 21-year-old from the Titirangi Golf Club ended the week on a seven-over par total, 13 shots back from the champion Thai golfer Pimnipa Panthing.

Youth Olympics, Nanjing, China – Golf - Nanjing Zhongshan International Golf Club - Round Two Scores (Par 72):

Men:   

205        Renato Paratore (ITA) 72 67 66

207        Marcus Kinhult (SWE) 66 72 69

210        Danthai Boonma (THA) 67 70 73, Viktor Hovland (NOR) 68 68 74

212        Oliver Lindell (FIN) 73 72 67, Axe Pultz Pinnerup (DEN) 70 74 68, Jonas Liebich (GER) 69 77 66, Feroz Garewal (IND) 73 69 70, Brett Coletta (AUS) 66 72 74

213        Zecheng Dou (CHN) 69 73 71, Zan Luka Stirn (SLO) 70 71 72

214        Chun-An Yu (TPE) 69 73 72

215        Devin Hua (GUM) 70 74 71, Robert Macintyre (GBR) 69 75 71

216        Nick Coxon (NZL) 71 71 74

Women:

202        Soyoung Lee (KOR) 69 68 65

205        Ssu-Chia Cheng (TPE) 69 70 66

209        Supamas Sangchan (THA) 73 66 70

214        Olivia Cowan (GER) 76 69 69, Virginia Elena Carta (ITA) 69 75 70

215        Emily Kristine Pedersen (DEN) 75 73 67

217        Julianne Alvarez (NZL) 70 73 74

218        Azelia Meichtry (SUI) 73 75 70, Maria Shinohara (JPN) 69 74 75

219        Marion Veysseyre (FRA) 71 74 74

220        Aditi Ashok (IND) 74 70 76