Argentina Wins TOYOTA Junior Golf World Cup
Kyoung-Hoon of Korea claims individual title

TOYOTA CITY, Japan – Argentina won its first TOYOTA Junior Golf World Cup supported by JAL at Chukyo Golf Club. Argentina’s previous best finish was fourth in 1998 and again in 2005. Kyoung-Hoon of Korea won the individual title at 14-under par.

The Argentineans - who led or shared the lead all four rounds of the tournament - had their best round of the tournament at 8-under par 205 to pull away from third-round co-leader United States. Both Tomas Cocha (67) and Leandro Marelli (66) posted their best days of the tournament to lead Argentina in the final round. Cocho carded a double-bogey and two bogeys but eight birdies while Marelli had five birdies to one bogey. Cocho’s effort was good enough to move him into second individually (-9) while Marelli tied for eighth (-4).

“We’re very happy with the tournament,” said Argentina Coach Martin Bartolome. “To win the tournament is a great achievement for amateur golf in Argentina. Everyone in Argentina who has worked for golf and amateur golf deserves a piece of this tournament. It’s means a lot for them to know that we can be there with the top nations in the world. It shows us that we are working down a good road. It means a lot.”

Second-place United States dug themselves into an early hole and were 3-over through for four holes. The Americans would close the gap after recording seven birdies to no bogeys from holes 5-12. Argentina, however, would play the final five holes at 5-under to put the championship away.

England recorded its best round of the tournament - 8-under 213 - to move within one shot of the United States at 18-under. Korea (-13) moved up to fourth and was followed by Mexico (-12), Japan (-10) and South Africa (-6). Chinese Taipei and Sweden tied for eighth at 5-under while Australia (-3), Portugal (-1), Canada (+18), Norway (+22) and Uruguay (+35) round out the final standings.

Kyoung-Hoon Lee of Korea claimed the Maruyama Cup as individual champion after firing 65 to at 14-under. Cocha, Tomohiro Umeyama of Japan and Mexico’s Santiago Gavino tied for second five-shots back. England’s Max Smith placed fifth at 7-under.

For more information, visit www.wjgtc.org.

Team Results
1.    Argentina    208-208-209-205=830 (-22)
2.    USA    211-207-207-208=833 (-19)
3.    England    211-209-209-205=834 (-18)
4.    Korea    217-205-209-208=839 (-13)
5.    Mexico    208-213-216-203=840 (-12)
6.    Japan    215-210-207-210=842 (-10)
7.    South Africa    219-218-204-205=846 (-6)
T8.    Chinese Taipei    211-206-214-216=847 (-5)
T8.    Sweden    215-217-209-206=847 (-5)
10.    Australia    216-209-211-213=849 (-3)
11.    Portugal    215-215-204-217=851 (-1)
12.    Canada    226-227-202-215=655 (+18)
13.    Norway    218-225-216-215=874 (+22)
14.    Uruguay    228-224-216-219=887 (+35)

Top 10 Individual Results
1.    Kyoung-Hoon Lee, Korea    71-68-66-65=270 (-14)
T2.    Tomas Cocha, Argentina    71-68-69-67=275 (-9)
T2.    Tomohiro Umeyama, Japan    71-68-67-69=275 (-9)
T2.    Santiago Gavino, Mexico    66-68-72-69=275 (-9)
5.    Max Smith, England    71-71-68-67=277 (-7) 6.    Cameron Smith, Australia    71-68-69-70=278 (-6)
7.    Roberto Ballesteros, Mexico    70-71-71-67=279 (-5)
T8.    Chi-Hsien Hsieh, Chinese Taipei    74-67-69-70=280 (-4)
T8.    Jeffrey Kang, USA    71-71-69-69=280 (-4)
T8.    Joakim Lagergren, Sweden    71-72-70-67=280 (-4)
T8.    Leandro Marelli, Argentina    67-75-72-66=280 (-4)
T8.    T.J. Vogel, USA    73-66-70-71=280 (-4)