Tanya Wadhwa wins
Jr World golf title

Tanya Wadhwa, the prodigiously talented Indian junior golfer who prides herself on sharing the same initials as Tiger Woods, recorded a historic win in the 9-10 age group category of the 2002 Callaway Junior World championships on Thursday.

The David Ledbetter-coached Tanya, the youngest in her category, recorded a winning tally of 15-under 162, a record in the age group category.

The tournament, being held at the par-58 Singing Hills Golf Course, Pine Glen, USA, is considered a vital stepping stone up the golfing hierarchy in the United States. Among previous winners in the 'men's' 9-10 category is Tanya's golfing hero Tiger Woods. Woods returned back-to-back wins in 1984 and '85.

Nine-year old Tanya, currently in the David Ledbetter academy in Florida and originally from New Delhi, returned scores of 52, 54 and 56 in three rounds to beat Kline Mackinzie of Encinitas, California, by a whopping seven strokes.

Last year, Tanya had returned a third place finish in the under-eight category at the same tournament.

The cut was applied after two rounds at five-over 121 and the top 17 golfers made it to the third and final round.

The top three:
1. Tanya Wadhwa (India) 52-54-56=162; 2. Mackinzie Kline Encinitas (US) 59-55-55=169; Kimberly Kim (US) 53-60-57=170.