Second day of the Junior Open played
The second day of the Estonian Junior Open was played today at Estonian Golf & Country Club, with the youngest competitors in the U12 age group joining the action. The best score of the day came from Iiris Mätas, who celebrated her birthday yesterday and shot a 69.
In the U21 boys’ category, Ruut Kangust, representing the host club, has taken the lead after shooting 76 strokes on both days (total +8). Impressively, his front and back nine scores were identical on both days – 41 and 35. Moving into second place is Aivar Paalberg Jr (Rae Golf Club), who posted the best score of the day in this category with rounds of 83 and 74 (total +13), trailing the leader by five strokes. Santtu Tiusanen (Vierumäen Golfseura) remains in third, just one shot behind second place at +14, while Robin Udodov (Estonian Golf & Country Club), who led after day one, has fallen to fourth. His rounds of 75 and 84 (total +15) leave him just one stroke outside the top three. Results
In the U18 boys’ age group, Noah Gratil (Malta Golf Club) leads after two days, having followed up yesterday’s 71 with a 73 today. The Belgian player previously tasted victory two years ago in the U16 category. Rassel Orumägi, who scored 72 on his home course today, is four strokes behind at +4 total. Hart Oskar Aoveer (Rae Golf Club) dropped to third place after a round of 76, bringing his total to +5. Results
In the combined U21/U18 WAGR (World Amateur Golf Ranking) class, the top three players all come from the younger age group. Orumägi is the only one not yet listed in the WAGR and must win the tournament to enter the rankings.
In the oldest girls’ category (U21), Danielle Truusa, playing on her home course, delivered an impressive round. She was on track to finish well under par for most of the day, but made her only mistake with a double bogey on the 16th hole. Still, her round of 73 brings her two-day total to +7, giving her a commanding 26-stroke lead over the nearest competitor. Results
In the U18 girls’ category, Katrina Bulkovska from Latvia (WAGR 240) has taken the lead, adding a 74 today to her previous round of 76, bringing her total to +6. Players from Ozo Golf Club now hold the top two spots, as Liliana Krole moved into second place after shooting a 75 (total +10). Roosi Ristal, playing on her home course, scored 84 today and dropped to third with a total of +15, while Annika Kalvet (Niitvälja Golf Club) sits in fourth place, just two strokes behind the top three. Results
Tomorrow’s final round in the U21/U18 WAGR girls’ class is expected to be a tight contest between Bulkovska and Truusa. A victory for Truusa would earn her a spot in the WAGR, but she faces a strong opponent with the highest current ranking in the field.
In the U16 boys’ category, Finnish players are holding the top three positions. Alex Westerholm (Tapiola Golf), who shot a 69 yesterday, followed it up with a 73 today, bringing his total to -2, which puts him four strokes ahead of fellow Finn Lukas Sovijärvi (Nurmijärven Golf Club). Sovijärvi had the best round of the day with a 70 and now stands at +2 overall. The best Estonians are currently placed between fifth and seventh. Arthur Marti Animägi and Karl Konrad Ranna, both representing the host club, have scores of +10 and +11, respectively, while William Pikk (Niitvälja Golf Club) stands at +12. Results
In the U14 boys’ category, Estonians are currently absent from the top four. The leader is Alvar Äijälä from Finland (Helsinki Golf Club), with rounds of 78 and 73, totaling +7. Just one stroke behind is Dominykas Petkevičius from Lithuania (Wolf Golf Club). The best-placed Estonian is Kris Kuusk (Saaremaa Golf & Country Club) in fifth place, followed by Hans-Christian Kibus (Niitvälja Golf Club) in seventh. Results
Foreign players currently dominate the U16/U14 WAGR classes, and the winners will earn a spot in the WAGR for the first time.
In the U16 girls’ age group, three members of the Estonian women’s national team are dominating the competition. The strongest performance over the first two days has come from Iiris Mätas of Rae Golf Club, who has posted rounds of 72 and 69, putting her at three under par. Kristella Sikk from Niitvälja Golf Club follows five strokes behind, while Kirke Kiige, also representing Rae Golf Club, has a two-day total score of +8. Results
In the U14 girls’ age group, Keita Dzirniece (Ozo Golf Club) remains in the lead with rounds of 83 and 78, giving her a total score of +17. Nora Marleen Animägi (Estonian Golf & Country Club), currently in second place, trails by eight strokes. Results
In the U16/U14 WAGR girls’ division, the top three are members of the Estonian national team and already listed in the WAGR.
In the U12 boys’ category, Lui Saat (Rae Golf Club) took the lead, recording a score of 79 thanks to a birdie on the final hole. Three players finished just behind with scores of 80: Robert Uusküla (Estonian Golf & Country Club), Moriss Spalviņš (Jurmala Golf Club), and Miroslavs Bogdanovs (Ozo Golf Club). The most remarkable round came from Uusküla, who opened with a 12 on the first hole, followed by two bogeys, but then played the remaining 15 holes at an impressive -1. Results
In the U12 girls’ age group, Lotta Krasta (Ozo Golf Club) took the lead after the first day with a round of 94 strokes. Rosanna Veskimeister (Rae Golf Club) trails her by six strokes. Results
Click HERE to view the photo gallery of day 2 of the competition (photos by Raul Mee).
