The JGAA Bryce Molder Tournament, sponsored by PING and Trident Capital Partners, took place May 10–11, 2025, at Grayhawk Golf Club’s Raptor Course in Scottsdale, AZ. The Boys Championship Division featured an invite-only field of 57 top junior golfers, representing six states, competing on one of the toughest tracks in Arizona.
Big Win at a Tough Venue
TJG: Congratulations, Owen, on winning your first PING Junior Masters title and first JGAA win of the 2025 season—on arguably one of the toughest courses in Arizona. Out of a field of 57 elite junior golfers from Arizona and surrounding states, you were the only player under par and the only one to shoot a round in the 60s on the Raptor course playing 7,083 yds. How does it feel to pick up such a big tournament victory?
Owen: It feels amazing, especially coming down the stretch when I knew I had the lead by four, it's a great feeling.
Steady and Smart
TJG: The stat sheet shows you played what some might call “boring” golf—in the best way possible. You led the field with 27 pars out of 36 holes and went on a bogey-free streak of 22 holes. Can you speak to your consistency and how you managed your game throughout the tournament?
Owen: I really tried to just never get out of it. When I would hit the occasional bad driver or bad shot, I just composed myself and thought how I could make par from the situation I was in. That course being so tough, I knew it was really just going to be who could make the least number of mistakes. I played conservative on most holes, and then took aim when it made sense for the position, I was in.
Course Conditions
TJG: What were your thoughts on the course and how it was set up for the tournament? Did anything stand out to you—greens, rough, pin placements?
Owen: I thought the course, and course conditions were really well set up and maintained. We did run into gusts of wind blowing about 20 to 25 mph the second day, so that made it a little more complicated. For the most part, however, the course favored the player that could go at the middle of the green and not get too greedy on the approach shots. The greens were fast, and pin placements were usually tricky.
Course Management
TJG: Many players ran into trouble with hazards and desert lies over the two days. What was your approach to keeping the ball in play and avoiding costly mistakes?
Owen: To keep the ball in play, I just really stuck to my baby cut, and hit mostly teed down, fairway finding shots for most of the tournament. I felt if I could just be somewhere in the fairway, I would be almost certain to make a par, and have a decent chance at birdie.
Career Milestone
TJG: Where does this win rank among your junior career accomplishments so far?
Owen: I would say it is in the top-3 of my career milestone markers. I would say the other two that top it are a 3rd place at Drive, Chip, and Putt finals, and a t-10 at the U.S. Kids World Championships a few years back.
Looking Ahead to College
TJG: You're just one month away from being eligible for direct contact with college coaches. Are you excited to start the recruiting process, and do you have any schools that are already on your radar?
Owen: I am super excited to start the recruiting process, and I cannot wait for the opportunity to talk with college coaches. From what I have heard, it will be an amazing day on June 15th. I definitely have a few schools that I am interested in, but I hope to have an open mind when it comes to finding a college so I can have the best shot I can hope for to reach the highest level.
Rapid-Fire Questions:
- Grade in school: Junior this coming fall
- Home course: Seville Golf and Country Club
- Driver carry distance: 280 yards
- What’s in your bag: PING all the way through
- Lowest 18-hole score in your junior career: 61 (-9)
- Ultimate goal in golf: Professional Golfer
TJG: Where can we find you on social media.
Owen: Instagram
Thank you, Owen, for taking the time to share your junior golf journey with Today’s Junior Golfer. Wishing you all the best in the exciting years ahead—both on and off the course! ⛳️👏
