ONE of Cebu’s ace junior golfers, Weiwei Gao, has qualified for the annual IMG Academy Junior World Golf Championships in San Diego, California and will be the lone player from Cebu to represent the country in the 15 to 17 years old division.
The CEI British School-Cebu student secured a slot in the Junior World Championships after topping the boys’ 15 to 17 years old division of the IMG Junior World Qualifying at the Southwoods Golf and Country Club last April 5 to 8.
Gao shot 285 in the four-day tournament, which was highlighted by a seven-under 65 on the first round. He carded two 73s and a 74 on the next three rounds.
The 16-year-old Gao of Alta Vista Golf and Country Club (AVGCC) will be joined by Luis Castro, Ryan Monsalve and Ira Alido on the country’s roster for the 15 to 17 division in the Junior World Championships slated on July 9 to 15 in California.
“It’s feels good to win the qualifying event. It gave me confidence for the US,” Gao told Sun.Star Cebu. “Only four people have qualified out of 30 aspirants.”
Gao was not able to qualify last year but came back stronger in the qualifiers this year to secure his fifth appearance in the Junior World Championships.
“I missed the cut last year. I have worked hard to play my best ever since,” Gao said.
Gao said that based in his previous stint in the Junior World Championship, the competition is really great and at a high level.
“(On my previous stints in the Junior World Championship) I did not play good,” he said. But this year I got another chance and I my plan is to stick to my process and execute my shots properly.
“I try not to expect a lot, but part of my goal is to finish in the top,” he added.
Aside from the 15 to 17 division, the Philippines will also have delegates in the 6-under, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12 and 13-14 divisions.