Eight junior golfers crowned at Drive, Chip and Putt finals

Mason Quagliata turned to his mother and asked if she got a photo of his name on the Masters Tournament leaderboard.

“Only about a thousand times,” Shannon Quagliata responded.

It took an extra 15-foot putt under pressure, but Mason got it done Sunday by winning the Boys 14-15 age group of the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals at Augusta National Golf Club.

Other winners included Maye Huang for Girls 7-9, Zachary Colon for Boys 12-13, Lucy Yuan for Girls 10-11, Liam Hartling for Boys 10-11, Alexa Pano for Girls 12-13, Carter Gaede for Boys 7-9 and Savannah Grewal for Girls 14-15.

After reaching a points tie through all three portions of the event, Quagliata and Andrew Scholz returned to the No. 18 green for a 15-foot putt as a playoff. Quagliata calmly rolled his attempt to within a foot to clinch the victory.

“I had to go first. I guess that was kind of easier,” Quagliata said. “I just wanted to get it close. I didn’t need to make it. I just wanted to get it close and put the pressure on him.”

Three-time Masters champion Nick Faldo presented the trophy to the 15-year-old Quagliata from Scottsdale, Ariz.

“The whole putt-off thing set me over. It was a little stressful,” Shannon Quagliata said. “We’re just really proud of him. He works really hard, so this is quite an achievement.”

Faldo shook hands and joked with the Boys 14-15 winners before the award presentation. At one point, Faldo struggled to find Clay Merchent’s award for longest drive in the age group. Merchent pointed it out to Faldo, who then turned to the patrons.

“He knows where his own trophy is,” Faldo quipped.

Pano became the event’s first two-time winner when she claimed the Girls 12-13 group after winning the 10-11 group last year. The Lake Worth, Fla., native had strong results in all three phases and said she didn’t let the pressure of a potential repeat affect her game.

“I was so blessed to just win one time and at least travel here once, but to win two times and be able to come here and compete again is just so amazing,” Pano said.

A total of 80 finalists from across the country, representing boys and girls ages 7-15, compete in the national finals between Augusta National’s practice range and 18th green. It serves as a lighthearted day focused on the youth of the sport before Masters practice rounds begin.

Eight former Masters champions were on hand to present awards, including defending champion Danny Willett.

I think we’re showcasing the game and, hopefully, millions of children around the world are watching and will be interested in golf and want to compete,” Augusta National and Masters chairman Billy Payne said.

Reach David Lee at (706) 823-3216

or david.lee@augustachronicle.com.