Liam Curtis goes wire-to-wire to win Ohio Junior Championship
Ben Curtis with his son Liam Curtis (Northern Ohio Golf Association photo)
Liam Curtis made it clear from the start: this was his tournament to win.
The 18-year-old from Kent fired rounds of 68, 70, and 71 to post a 7-under 209, cruising to a four-shot victory at the Ohio Junior Championship. He led the tournament from start to finish—what golfers call a wire-to-wire win—and never let anyone get too close.
If the name sounds familiar, it should. Liam is the son of Ben Curtis, the 2003 Open Champion. Like his dad (and mom, Candace), Liam will be playing college golf at Kent State University starting this fall.
He started the final round at 6-under, holding a two-shot lead after opening with 68 and 70. With steady play on the final day and a closing 71, he kept the field at bay and secured the title.
Earlier this season, Liam Curtis advanced through U.S. Open Local Qualifying, carding an even-par 72 at Weymouth Country Club in Medina on April 29. However, his run came to an end at Final Qualifying on June 2 at Kinsale Golf & Fitness Club, where he struggled to find form, posting rounds of 75 and 81 to miss the cut.
Landon Harris of Loveland, who’s set to join Wright State in the fall, secured runner-up honors with a 3-under total of 213, highlighted by a clutch final-round 69 that propelled him up the leaderboard.
As for Curtis, his victory capped off a standout high school career at Theodore Roosevelt High School in Kent. A three-time Suburban Player of the Year, he earned first-team all-state honors in 2024 and second-team all-state honors in 2023. His 2024 season was one to remember: he finished runner-up at the Ohio State Championship, captured seven medalist titles, and maintained an impressive scoring average of 71.3.
Zac McGrath Wins 15 & Under Division
In the 15 & Under division, Zac McGrath of Blue Ash took top honors with a 3-under total of 213 after rounds of 71, 69, and 73. He finished two shots ahead of Elijah Stewart of East Liverpool, who played consistently across three days with scores of 72, 71, and 72.
Strong Field, Tough Cut This year’s championship brought together a field of 146 players—110 in the 16–18 division and 36 in the 15 & Under. Making the cut wasn’t easy: just 40 players advanced in the older division, while only 14 moved on in the younger group.
View results for Ohio Junior
ABOUT THE
Ohio Junior
54-hole stroke play championship for junior boys
with
separate divisions for ages 16-18 and 15 & under. Cut
made after 36 holes.
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