Yellamaraju catches fire at Purgatory

NOBLESVILLE, Ind. – Sudarshan Yellamaraju’s closing-round 65 led to a 4-shot victory in the Boys 16-19 division at Purgatory Golf Club.

The victory was Yellamaraju’s first in three GJT appearances.

Yellamaraju posted rounds of 71-65—136 and entered the final round four shots behind leader Clay Stirsman. After opening with a birdie at No. 1, Yellamaraju never looked back by later posting birdies at 5, 7 and 9 for a 4-under 32 front nine. The birdie at 7 game him the lead he would never relinquish.

His only bogey of the day came at the par-3 12th, but he quickly rebounded with three straight birdies then the final exclamation point birdie at the last.

Nicholas Dentino, who started the final round tied with Yellamaraju, birdied Nos. 2 and 3 to get into the mix but had trouble keeping up with Yellamaraju’s torrid pace. Dentino finished at 71-69—140 to finish alone in second place. Stirsman shot 67-76—143 to claim third place while Nic Hofman took fourth with rounds of 75-71—146.

Matthew Flynn rounded out the top-5 at 73-74—147.

Murakami tops Adams in Boys 14-15 playoff

Alejandro Murakami’s birdie on the first playoff hole defeated Hayden Adams in the Boys 14-15 division at Purgatory Golf Club.

After Adams played the final eight holes of regulation in bogey-free 2-under-par to catch Murakami, the two went to the par-4 No.1 to settle matters. With players on the green in regulation, Adams missed his 20-foot birdie attempt then Murakami dropped the winning 8-footer for birdie soon after.

The victory was Murakami’s first in 10 GJT appearances.

Murakami posted rounds of 74-73—147 in regulation, notching birdies at 2 and 6 the final day to surge in front. Adams, who finished regulation at 75-72—147, fell back with three bogeys over the first 10

holes before battling back with birdies at 14 and 15 with no more bogeys on the card.

Callen Hooks shot 78-72—150 to finish alone in third place while Zach Mulhearn took fourth with rounds of 75-80—155.

Drew Higgins rounded out the top-5 with rounds of 83-75—158.

Smith’s final-round 69 earns win in Boys 13-and-Under

Brady Smith closed strong in surging to a 5-shot victory in the Boys 13-and-under division at Purgatory Golf Club.

Smith, who started the final round two shots off the lead, caught fire after starting the final round with three bogeys over the first five holes. He went on to post birdies at 6, 7 and 9 to move back to even par on the front nine then closed with four birdies over the last five holes to seal the win.

Smith finished at 75-69—144 for his first GJT win in three appearances this year while Kevin Amalaraj took second place at 76-73—149.

Opening-round leader Peyton Blackard finished at 73-77—150 to fall back into a tie for third place with Alec Cesare (74-76—150).