English teenager Josh Hill has created history after becoming the youngest male player to win an Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) event.
Hill won the Al Ain Open on the MENA Tour on Wednesday at the age of 15 years, six months and 27 days old, eclipsing the record held by Japan's Ryo Ishikawa.
Ishikawa was 15 years and eight months old when he won the Munsingwear Open KSB Cup in May 2007.
This is incredible! We can now confirm that at age 15 years six months and 27 days, Josh Hill is the youngest winner ever in an @OWGRltd event beating Ryo Ishikawa's record of 15 years and 8 months. Won the Al Ain Open by Arena at @AESGC today on 17-under par. pic.twitter.com/oNXer2mICP — MENA Tour (@theMENATour) October 23, 2019
Hill, who carded a final round of 62 to finish two shots ahead of Harry Ellis, said: "I really don't know what to say right now. I am shocked.
"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 OWGR 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. I honestly 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."
Seriously impressive 👏🏻👍🏼 🏆 #onetowatch https://t.co/Goyzcbb2jG — Danny Willett (@Danny_Willett) October 23, 2019
Former Masters champion Danny Willett was among the high-profile players to congratulate Hill, who was born and raised in Dubai but is the youngest member of the England Under-18 squad.
As an amateur, Hill was ineligible for the first prize of £10,477, which went to Ellis instead.
