SARASOTA, Fla. – Noah Kumar and Taylor Roberts were victorious on Sunday at Palm Aire Country Club. This was the first Florida Junior Tour win for Kumar and the fifth FJT win for Roberts.
Boys 16-18 Division
Kumar, of Sarasota, Fla., captured the win with a 6-under 138. He began the day in first place, after carding a 7-under 65 in the first round. He posted a bogey-free front nine on Saturday, with three birdies. He finished the round with three more birdies and an eagle on the par-5 11th hole on the back nine.
The 2020 graduate began the final round with a four-stroke lead over the rest of the field. Kumar struggled on the front nine, bogeying four of five holes. He birdied the 11th and 13th holes to move to 5-under for the event.
Kumar sank a 51-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole to secure his first FJT win. Prior to this win, his best finish came at Old Corkscrew Golf Club, where he tied for second.
Robbie Higgins, of Bradenton, Fla., took home second place, one-stroke behind Kumar at 5-under 139. Carter Lewis, Joshua Perna and Fletcher Wunderlich tied for third at even-par 144.
Girls 16-18 Division
Roberts, of Parkland, Fla., won the Girls’ Division with a 4-over 140. Heading into the final round, she was in a tie for first, after a first round 2-under 70, the low-round of the tournament. The 2020 graduate carded three birdies and an eagle on the fifth hole.
Starting on the 10th hole, Roberts started the final round with back-to-back birdies on the second and third holes. Roberts carded a bogey-free final nine, with a birdie on the first holes. She posted a final-round 2-under 70.
This was Roberts’ first FJT win since May 2018 at Trump National Doral.
Madison Hewlett captured second place at 1-under 143, while Jacqueline Putrino finished third at even-par 144.
Florida Junior Tour (Boys & Girls 13-15)
- Palm Aire Country Club - Champions Course, Sarasota, Fla.
- Yardage & Rating
- Boys 16-18: 6915 yds., 72.9/130
- Girls 16-18: 5924 yds., 74.6/128
- Weather
- Sunny, light breeze
- 20-minute fog delay (Round 2)
