Wilkes, Taylor Win Dustin Johnson World Junior Golf Championship Titles

The Fifth Annual Dustin Johnson World Junior Golf Championship took another step in its emergence as one of the nation’s premier events, attracting its strongest field to date and delivering plenty of drama last weekend.

A pair of Florida golfers emerged victorious at TPC Myrtle Beach as Taylor Roberts (Parkland, Fla.) triumphed in the girls tournament while Tyler Wilkes (Tampa, Fla.) emerged from a crowded leaderboard to win the boys event.

LEADERBOARD: BOYS; GIRLS

Wilkes shot even par 72 in Sunday’s final round, finishing the 54-hole tournament at -1, good for a one-stroke win over Caleb Surratt, but raw numbers don’t do the drama of the back nine justice.

Three players – Wilkes, Surratt and David Ford (Peachtree Corners, Ga.) – held the outright lead on the final nine holes. Wilkes had a one-shot lead walking onto the 10th tee, but a double bogey left Ford atop the field with a one-stroke advantage.

Surratt then birdied 12 and 14 to take his turn atop a tournament that featured 47 top 100 boys, but Wilkes seized control of the event on No. 14. The University of Florida signee birdied the par 5 while Surratt, playing one group in front of him, made double bogey on the 15th.

Ford struggled down the stretch, closing the tournament with three consecutive doubles, eliminating him from contention.

After taking the lead on No. 14, Wilkes parred the final four holes to close out the victory.

In the girls tournament, Roberts opened the final round two shots behind Katherine Schuster and started slowly – making bogey on three of her first five holes. Schuster was unable to take advantage, making double bogey on the second and third holes, and Roberts played outstanding golf the rest of the way.

The Florida State signee birdied No. 7, No. 12 and No. 16, pushing her lead to four shots. By the time Roberts made bogey on the treacherous par 3 17th, she had the tournament in hand.

Roberts shot a final round 73 and finished the event at +4, three strokes clear of second place Yoko Tai (Windermere, Fla.).

Click Here for a Photo Gallery of the Final Round

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