Star junior golfer adds local tournament to impressive resume

It came down to sudden death for the first time since 2008 for the girls at the Thunderbird International Junior at Grayhawk Gold Club and in the end, it was Ariya Jutanugarn of Bangkok, Thailand who came out the winner defeating Gabriella Sojo.

“Before the playoff I told myself I’m going to make it,” said Aryia who lost a sudden death playoff to Sojo last season at the 2011 Rolex Tournament of Champions. “I am so happy because I am coming closer to my goal.”

The 16-year-old has had a remarkable young career the last couple years participating in the American Junior Golf Association. Last year, of the nine AJGA events, she finished in the top two in eight of them. The lone event he finished out of the top two was the 2011 Thunderbird International Junior.

So 2012 was redemption for the number one ranked golfer according to the Polo Golf rankings, as Jutanugarn shot five under-par 211 after 54 holes and her second 2012 AJGA event win of the season.