PINEHURST, N.C. — Gainesville's Hudson Justus made it back-to-back US Kids golf titles on Saturday capturing the 9-year-old championship at the Pinehurst No. 1 course.
Justus, a Mt. Vernon Elementary student, fired a three-day total 8-under par 208, battling back from a four-shot deficit after the opening day. He held off Axel Monssoh of Miami, Fla , who finished second with a 5-under 211.
The opening round was a slow start for Justus, who shot an even-par 72 with just one birdie and was four shots off the lead held by Caiden Westbroek of Palm Harbor, Fla..
But Justus got things going on Friday's second round. He managed six birdies to just one bogey for a 5-under 67 to take a two-shot lead over Westbroek and Logan McGinn of South Williamsport, Pa. He continued his hot play on Saturday firing a 3-under 69 with six more birdies to hold off Monssoh and Benny Ossi from Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., who shot a tournament-low 65 in the final round to finish in third at 3-under.
It is the second straight US Kids title for Justus, who won the 8-year-old division in 2020.
