Victorians Feiyu Xing and Elbert Kim have been crowned champions of the 2026 Jack Newton Junior Golf State Age Championship, holding firm through a final round at Moruya Golf Club that tested both overnight leaders.
Xing capped off a dominant week to finish at six-under-par overall, carding rounds of 72, 69, 69 and 74 for a total of six under par. She led from start to finish, closing out the tournament despite an up-and-down final round that included a one-over 74.
Concord’s Jordyn Deen finished runner-up at three over, with The Australian GC’s Sophie Tong climbing four spots into third at seven over.
Kim also went the distance, closing with a two-over 73 to finish at two-under overall. With rounds of 70, 69, 72 and 73, he claimed the victory by one shot.
Concord’s Haohua Sun finished runner-up at one-under, with The Australian’s Blake Cranston charging seven spots up the board into third courtesy of a closing 67.
Xing said the win capped off a week where she felt more composed than ever before, and comes hot on the heels of her Queensland Amateur title last week.
“I’m really happy, and excited for winning back-to-back. I don’t feel much pressure, and I’ve been struggling with my putter the whole week, but my driver’s been getting better.”
Her scrambling, rather than her scoring, was the key to the week.
“My up-and-downs were the best part of my game. I could save it, but I couldn’t really make many birdies, I could just make pars.”
Today’s round wasn’t the smoothest way to get over the line.
“Today was a really struggling round. I had a few three putts and couldn’t make a birdie until hole 16. It wasn’t a great round for me, but the result wasn’t too bad.”
She pointed to her mindset as the biggest difference this year.
“I don’t feel as much pressure as I used to, and I think I’ve played more consistently than in previous years. I feel like I’m playing stable now.”
She also credited a strong week alongside her playing partners.
“I loved all my playing partners this week, they were all so nice to me. They made me this champion.”
For Kim, the final round brought some nerves he hadn’t felt earlier in the week.
“I definitely made it harder than it should have been for myself, and I felt the nerves coming down the last few holes, but it feels good to get it done.”
Another slow start almost cost him, but he leaned on patience to get the job done.
“It was another slow start to the round, like the past three rounds as well. I tried to stay calm and patient, and it eventually came. I was able to pull it out to win the tournament.”
With the lead changing hands more than once throughout the day, Kim said he stuck to a simple mantra.
“I told myself I’d started slow every day, so I just had to get it back. I kind of brainwashed myself, but it actually happened.”
He wasn’t chasing perfection, just smart golf around two tricky courses.
“I don’t think it was the best quality golf I’ve played, but I played the courses well and avoided a lot of the traps, both courses were trickier than they looked.”
Asked for a highlight across the four days, Kim didn’t hesitate.
“It has to be the last putt to win the tournament.”
It’s his first win since January, and his first major title.
“It definitely feels great to be back in the winner’s circle, and it’s my first time winning a major tournament for Jack Newton, another achievement to add to the resume.”
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