(March 6, 2022) – Ben James stormed into the lead at the Dustin Johnson World Junior Golf Championship. Highlighted by an albatross in the first round the 2021 Connecticut Open runner-up opened with a pair of 5 under 67s and brought a three shot lead into the final round at TPC Myrtle Beach.
However, the final round was a different story for James. On a sunny but windy day, the University of Virginia commit struggled bogeying four of his first six holes to bring the field back into contention. James did birdie Nos. 9, 13, and 14 but he also double-bogeyed twice on his second nine forcing the 2019 Connecticut Junior winner to birdie the closing par 5 to force a playoff with Jack Roberts of Georgia who began the final round five shots back.
The first playoff in seven years at the Dustin Johnson World Junior Golf Championship offered little drama. Roberts lost his drive out of bounds immediately putting James in the driver’s seat. After letting an opportunity to win the tournament in regulation slip away James wasn’t going to let that chance pass him by again. The Milford native found the green with his second shot setting up a comfortable two-putt birdie.
About the Connecticut State Golf Association
The Connecticut State Golf Association functions as an extension of the USGA and provides stewardship for amateur golf in Connecticut. Founded in 1899, it is the country’s oldest state golf association and conducts over 60 Championships, Qualifiers, and One Day Tournaments throughout the year.
