English golf teen breaks Ryo Ishikawa record as youngest Tour winner
Josh Hill wins Al Ain Open on the Mena Tour - but can't collect the prize money as he's still an amateur!
English golf teen sensation Josh Hill has smashed Ryo Ishikawa's record by becoming the youngest ever winner of an Official World Golf Ranking tournament at the age of 15 years and six months.
Hill carded a final-round 62 to win the Al Ain Open by two strokes on the lower-tier Mena Tour in the United Arab Emirates.
The Englishman's maiden Tour title etches his name in history and breaks Ishikawa's previous record set on the Japanese Tour in 2007 when he was 15 years and eight months.
The only catch for Hill, however, is that while he was still able to receive a trophy for his success, he could not collect the £10,477 first prize due to his amateur status. As a result, that money went to professional Harry Ellis instead.
"I really don't know what to say right now, I am shocked," said Hill.
"If you had told me during the summer that I will be winning a Mena Tour title against professionals and become the youngest ever winner of an Official World Golf Ranking event, I would have laughed at the notion.
"I guess hard work pays. I am actually a little disappointed with my finish because I missed so many opportunities coming in.
"Honestly I could have broken 60 today. I knew I needed a good start, and once I got it, I just kept hitting one good shot after the other."
The Mena Tour is held in the Middle East and North Africa and has awarded OWGR points ever since 2016. Hill is now projected to move from 2,072 to around 1,200 in the world.
