Golf: Fil-Am Hoey wins boys' 15-17 division crown in Junior World Championship

Filipino-American Rico Hoey brought glory to the Philippines after he conquered the boys’ 15-17 years old division in style, upsetting pre-tournament favorite Beau Hossler Jr. in a shoot-out on the closing hole in the Junior World Championships in San Diego, California.                  Hoey, the 16-year-old born and raised by Filipino parents in Southern California, finished with a three-under-par 69, highlighted by a two-putt birdie on the water-laden 18th hole, to wind up with a 286 total, one ahead from Hossler, who limped to a 73 for 287.                  It was Hoey’s third Junior World crown, having won the 9-10 and 11-12 age groups before. Hossler was best remembered for briefly holding the lead in the third round of the US Open over the PGA Tour stars at the Olympic Club in San Francisco in June, by a stroke.                  The success of Hoey came after Jed Dy (boys’ 7-8) and Bernice Ilas (girls’ 9-10) posted victories for the ICTSI-backed Philippine contingent in the annual tournament.                  ICTSI CEO and Junior Golf Foundation of the Philippines’ supporter Ricky Razon was elated with the wins by Hoey, Dy and Ilas.                  "Congratulations and job well done," was the text message sent by Razon to Luigi Tabuena, president of the Jungolf Foundation of the Philippines who served as the head of the national delegation.                  The ICTSI support has allowed JGFP to expand its year-round circuit and provide junior golfers the opportunity to hone their talents for international events.                  In the girls’ 15-17, Andrea Unson (78-300) and Princess Superal (78-301) were on 30th and 32nd place, respectively, in the division won by Benyapa Niphatsophon (71-280) of Thailand. - AMD, GMA News