Asselta Claims Second W.Y. Dear Junior Championship Title
BEDMINSTER, N.J.— Michael Asselta of Ramsey Golf & Country Club became a two-time champion of the W.Y. Dear Junior Championship after taking down Eric Kim in the 105th W.Y. Dear Junior Championship on Thursday. Following three days at Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club’s River Course, Asselta stood alone after defeating Kim 1 up in the final.
Asselta advanced to the final after taking down Daniel Kim in a 7-and-6 victory in the morning semifinal round. Asselta used two strong stretches, winning three holes in a row from holes four through six, finishing with a birdie on the 509-yard, par-5 sixth. He then took four consecutive holes through the turn with wins on holes eight through 11 to complete the bogey-free victory over Kim.
On the other side of the bracket, Kim grabbed an initial 3-up lead through the first four holes, highlighted by a birdie on the par-4 third hole. Kim would not relinquish his early lead for the entirety of his steady 3-and-2 win over Rayhao Feng of Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club. Back-to-back birdies on holes 12 and 13 helped Kim close out the match and advance to the final.
Asselta and Kim’s final matchup remained tied until the third hole, when Asselta made a birdie to go 1 up. The 2024 W.Y. Dear Champion expanded his lead with a putt to save par on the fifth hole.
Anything more was hard to come by as Kim remained persistent, matching Asselta’s steady short game with clutch chips around the green to keep the match at 2 up through the front nine.
“Playing this many holes in three days, it’s an absolute grind,” said Asselta. “So, fitting that the last round was also a major grind.”
Kim birdied the 406-yard par-four, 10th, cutting the lead to one before tying things up with five holes remaining after his birdie on the 501-yard, par-five, 13th.
Asselta and Kim continued the battle to find a lead on the 16th hole when Asselta saved par out of the bunker, to keep the match tied.
“I was just trying to find a way to keep the momentum swayed towards myself. Just keep making as many pars and trying to tie as many holes as I could and, eventually, win one towards the end,” said Asselta.
The scales finally tipped on the par-3, 17th when Asselta was able to capitalize with a timely par to go 1 up going into 18.
Asselta sealed the Championship on the 18th hole with another fantastic finish. After his drive found the trees, Asselta persevered and answered the final test, punching out into the fairway and landing his approach shot on the fringe.
Asselta saved par to match Kim’s par and earn a hard-fought victory in 18 holes. A sigh of relief and laughter with his father ensued as they embraced over the championship victory.
“My dad got me into the game, he’s been there from the start so it’s really cool to have him here when big things happen,” said Asselta.
With the win, Asselta earned an exemption into the 78th U.S. Junior Amateur Championship which will be held from July 20-25 at Saucon Valley Country Club in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
“This event is always marked on the calendar every summer and to be able to win it twice is pretty cool,” said Asselta. “Obviously, going to take this win and use it to my advantage in my next event. I’m really looking forward to getting back out on the course.”
Final Results
Michael Asselta def. Eric Kim, 1 up
Semifinal Results
Michael Asselta def. Daniel Kim, 7 and 6
Eric Kim def. Rayhao Feng, 3 and 2
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