Anawin Pikulthong (18), a student at Arizona State University from Gilbert, Arizona who has committed to the university, won Sunday’s 2023 Golfweek Southwest Junior Open, held at Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club, Maricopa, Arizona.
Southwest Junior Open is a limited-field junior golf event that has been running for 22 years. It’s one of the top junior golf events in the country.
Pikulthong is the first golfer to achieve a four-peat after a dominant victory. Pikulthong defeated some of Arizona’s best junior golfers to win the title.
Pikulthong put on a show, despite his claim that he hadn’t played to his full potential in recent times. He used his relaxed attitude, and intimate knowledge of Southern Dunes, to create an impressive display. The combination of fast greens, heat and tucked-in pins made his performance particularly impressive.
He won after a thrilling final day at Southern Dunes, where he shot a 9-under-63 and finished with a total two-day score of 19 under 125. His two-day scorecard included 17 birdies, one eagle and accurate drives and approach shots.
Tommie Clark from Mesa, and Kyle Koski from Chandler were his closest competitors. They both posted scores of 6-under-138 and 5-under-139.
Girls division
Sirina Ganne of Holmdel in New Jersey added another first place finish to her record. Ganne is a rising sophomore in high school and the New Jersey Girls State champion. She won this title earlier this month, at Raritan Valley Country Club, Bridgewater, New Jersey.
Sirina’s victory at the Golfweek Southwest Junior Open will grant her an exemption to the Golfweek International Junior Invitational in Orlando, which takes place Nov. 4 – 5.
Megha, Ganne’s elder sister, has just completed her first season at Stanford.
