England amateur Josh Hill has created Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) history in becoming the youngest-ever to win an official OWGR event in capturing the Al Ain Open by Arena on the MENA Tour.
Hill is aged 15 years, 6 months and 27 days with his amazing victory on the Al Ain Golf and Equestrian course in the UAE.
That is nearly two months younger than Japan’s Ryo Ishikawa was in setting the OWGR in 2007 when aged 15 years and two months in capturing the Japan Tour’s Munsingwear Open KSB Cup, and competing as an amateur and also in Ishikawa’s then first tour appearance.
England amateur Josh Hill creates World Ranking golfing history becoming the youngest-ever golfer to win a OQGR counting event in capturing the MENA Tour’s Al Ain Open thanks to a blistering last day 62.
Hill, who is the reigning Al Ain Men’s Open champion for the past two years and also won the Faldo Series Middle East Championship on the golf course,, posted a blistering final round eight-under par 62 in the three-day event to win with a 17-under par tally and two shots fewer than countryman Harry Ellis, who had led for the first two days.
And in winning at Al Ain, Hill’s amateur status meant turning down a first prize cheque for $13,500.
“I really don’t know what to say right now. I am shocked,” said Hill.
“If you had told me during the summer that I will be winning a MENA Tour title against professionals and become the youngest ever winner of an OWGR event, I would have laughed at the notion. I guess hard work pays.
“I was struggling in the summer and then something changed in the last MENA Tour event at Yas Links. That top-10 finish gave me a lot of confidence and I knew it in my heart that I would do well here in Al Ain because I have such a good history here. I just love this track.
“I am actually a little disappointed with my finish because I missed so many opportunities coming in. I honestly could have broken 60 today. I knew I needed a good start, and once I got it, I just kept hitting one good shot after the other.”
Hill had created MENA Tour history earlier this year at age 14 in becoming the youngest player to secure his card through Qualifying School. In 2017, the Dubai-based teenager was a runaway winner of the 2017 Emirates Golf Federation Men’s Order of Merit, finishing tied 27th at three-over 219 in the 54-hole B Stage, from which the top 34 players qualified at five-over 221.
Hill’s effort is even more remarkable because he had a nightmarish start with an eight-over 80 in tough playing conditions on day one.
No other player who shot worse than 77 on the opening day could qualify. He then added a three-under 69 and 70 in the final two rounds on the par-72 Greg Norman-designed golf course.
Hill, who also won the European Under-16 Faldo Series title, is coached by Joe Marshall at the Claude Harmon III Performance Institute in Dubai Sports City.
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