By ROCKY STANLEY / The Independent
Ashland — Justin Thomas is coming off his greatest golf achievement as he begins defense of his Natural Resource Partners Bluegrass Junior championship today.
Last week, Thomas roared his way to victory in the FootJoy Invitational, one of the American Junior Golf Association’s premier events.
Thomas, from Goshen, Ky., shot 66-67-67 in the final three rounds and came from behind for an 8-under-par 272 at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, N.C.
The title carried with it a sponsor’s exemption to the PGA Tour’s Wyndam Championship at the same course in August.
“I don’t know why, but it didn’t totally hit me,’’ Thomas said Monday as he prepared for the NRP Bluegrass Junior at Bellefonte Country Club. “I don’t think it will until I get there.’’
Thomas, 16, trailed by three shots entering the final round but fired four birdies on the front nine. He pulled even with another birdie on No. 15 and went on to win by two strokes over Anthony Paolucci of Dallas and Tom Lovelady of Birmingham, Ala.
“It gave me a lot of confidence with those big players knowing that I can win,’’ Thomas said.
The 99-player field consisted of top players from 25 states and 10 foreign countries, as well as 28 college signees and 25 Rolex Junior All-Americans. Thomas’ winning performance included seven birdies in the final round.
“For me, it ranks all the way to the top,’’ said Thomas, who will be a junior at St. Xavier in Louisville. “It was really nice to play that well in my first big tournament of the year.’’
Thomas would like to follow up with a repeat in the Bluegrass Junior. The 54-hole tournament begins at 7 a.m. and continues through Friday.
Last year, Thomas shot 206 here for his first AJGA victory.
“There are so many people here I know,’’ he said of the home-state event. “It’s one of the most fun tournaments of the year. It’s a blast.’’
ROCKY STANLEY can be reached at rstanley@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2671.
Past champions
Winners of the Natural Resource Partners Bluegrass Junior since the tournament changed to a 54-hole format.
BOYS
2008 Justin Thomas 206
2007 Donny Shin 203
2006 Cody Gribble 200
2005 Travis Smith 206
2004 Teddy Collins 208
2003 Chanin Puntawong 208
2002 Jessie Mudd 202
2001 Mark Blakefield 204
2000 Ryan Baca 207
1999 Adam Shanks 207
1998 Adam Gary 208
1997 Mike Austin 205
1996 Aaron Pellegrom 209
1995 Scott Moore 211
1994 Ben Curtis 208
1993 Brian McCann 211
GIRLS
2008 Nikki Koller 224
2007 Ayaka Kaneko 215
2006 Brianna Do 221
2005 Jennifer Johnson 223
2004 Mallory Blackwelder 216
2003 Whitney Wade 217
2002 Whitney Wade 212
2001 Marci Turner 219
2000 Leigh Anne Hardin 210
1999 Leigh Anne Hardin 209
1998 Leigh Anne Hardin 213
1997 Leigh Anne Hardin 212
1996 Jenny Throgmorton 226
1995 Sharon Park 223
1994 Ashley Winn 225
1993 Wendi Patterson 211
