PINEHURST, N.C. — Hudson Justus is literally on top of the world.
The 8-year-old Gainesville golfer took on a field of 95 junior golfers from around the world in the US Kids World Championship 2020 at Mid Pines Inn and Golf Club over the weekend and came away with the biggest prize of the season tour.
Justus fired a three-day total 105 (3-under par) to win the 8-and-under tournament by six strokes over defending champion Axel Monssoh, who finished with a 3-over 111.
"It was amazing, wonderful. My dad hugged me, my mom ran on the green, my little sister was there, all my friends and family were cheering in the crowd. It was just the best feeling ever!" Justus said afterwards.
By posting low-round scores of 35 and 33 on the first two days of the event for a 4-under 68, he had a five-shot lead on the field. He had one birdie on the opening round on Friday and carded three birdies for his tournament-low 33 on Saturday. He led by one stroke over Elijah Stewart of East Liverpool, Ohio and took a five shot lead over Monssoh into Sunday's final round.
Justus cruised home with a 1-over 37 on Sunday's final round as Monssoh posted a final-round 38.
It was a solid tournament all around for Georgia golfers in the 8-and-under bracket as Beck Patrick of Johns Creek finished in a two-way tied for third with a 112 and Ace Harris of Douglas finished in a three-way tie for seventh with a 114 total.
In other US Kids brackets, in the 9-and-under girls, Gainesville's Addison Peeples fired a three-day total 112 (4-over) to finish eighth in a field of 59 competitors. Peeples also won the Georgia Girls tournament in her age bracket last month.
