Riner finishes sixth in world debut

Cooper Riner, a dedicated young golfer from our area, recently showcased his remarkable skills at the 2024 Under Armour World Championship, held from July 17-21 at the impeccable Reunion Resort in Florida. Competing against a field of 86 top junior golfers from around the globe in the boys’ 15-18 age group, Cooper achieved an impressive sixth-place finish, marking the best showing of his career to date—in his world debut, no less.

Path to the Championship

Cooper’s journey to this elite tournament began with his participation in the Junior Tour Powered by Under Armour. By excelling in regional league matches and performing admirably at last year’s national championship, Cooper made the cut line for worlds. His consistent scoring average met the required average of 44 or better, earning him to a spot on this grand stage.

Tournament Conditions and Course Details

The world championship was contested on the challenging Watson Course at Reunion Resort, renowned for its challenging design and demanding play. The course’s layout tested Cooper’s skill and mental fortitude with meticulously crafted holes that required precision and strategy.

The weather in Palm Beach Gardens during the tournament was unrelenting, per usual for the time of year. Heat indices in the upper 90s paired with high humidity levels added an extra layer of difficulty for the field of golfers.

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Round Analyses

Try as she might, Mother Nature did little to deter Cooper. He played consistent, smart golf during his two rounds on Thursday and Friday.

Opening day was a solid showing. He had 3 birdies, 11 pars, and just four bogeys for a score of 72.

He shot 72 again on Day 2. Although he shot one less birdie than the day before, he made par 3 more times. Cooper also cut his number of bogeys in half to improve his gameplay as a whole.

His scorecard is printed along with this story.

Looking Forward

This remarkable finish put an exclamation mark on his 2024 season. However, it’ll be all gas and no brakes for “Coop,” as he’s affectionately called, because he is already qualified for next year’s world championship. You can read more about that feat on page 2B.