ANDOVER, Kan. (KWCH) – Nearly every single day, Lunden Esterline can be found somewhere on the grounds of Flint Hills National Golf Club.
His day usually begins with stretching before heading to the course for a mix of practice and play. His rule: However long he spends on the driving range, he spends twice as long chipping and putting.
It’s all paying off in a big way.
The Wichita Collegiate junior-to-be is coming off a Junior PGA Championship last week in Indiana, fueled by a career-best round of 62 (10-under) in the third round.
“I was feeling really good,” Lunden said. “I knew I could play really well. Obviously, I want to win everything I play in. I’m not gonna go play if I don’t think I can win. I thought I had a good shot at winning.”
The win also captured him a spot on the U.S. team for the Junior Ryder Cup, pitting the six best from the USA against the six best from Europe late next month of Nassau Country Club, with the final round taking place at Bethpage Black just one day before the Ryder Cup.
“Yeah, it’s a big honor for me because I get to play for my country, which is something people dream of doing,” he said. “I think that’s important. We’ll take down Europe.”
The final round of the Junior PGA brought a bit more pressure than a typical round of golf. He was paired with Charlie Woods, son of Tiger Woods, but ended up shutting the door on the field for the biggest victory of his young career.
“I thought it was really cool. I liked all the people,” Lunden said. “It made the good shots feel even better than they were with all the claps. I thought it was really cool, just kinda had to embrace it, couldn’t let it get in my head.”
But winning isn’t new to Lunden. The Andover native began his career at Collegiate by winning the individual state title as a freshman. Due to KSHSAA rules barring players from playing outside tournaments during the season, he didn’t play for Collegiate’s team as a sophomore and won’t be allowed to unless bylaws are passed.
Those moments molded him for the biggest opportunity of his career.
Now, he can call himself a Junior PGA Champion.
“It sounds great. It’s kinda surreal,” he said. “It was really cool seeing all the great names on (the trophy). I think that was really cool. Lots of PGA guys on there. It was really cool knowing my name is gonna be on there with them.”
Lunden will play in the Junior Players’ Championship at TPC Sawgrass in Florida before heading to New York next month.
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