2018 Summer Youth Olympics: 17-year-old South African seeks gold in Argentina
Updated 16:06, 12-Oct-2018
[]
02:14
The boys and girls golf events at the Youth Olympics will wrap up on Thursday, and South Africa's leading medal hopeful is Kaiyuree Moodley. The 17-year-old has been chipping away on the course for as long as she can remember, and will rely on her consistency as she seeks a spot on the podium. CGTN Julie Scheier reports.
While most four-year-olds are leaving toddlerhood behind, and preparing for school, golfing star Kaiyuree Moodley was taking her first steps towards her career.
KAIYUREE MOODLEY SOUTH AFRICA JUNIOR GOLFER "I loved it since I started when I was about 4½. We were in Durban, and my mum had bought me a plastic set of Pick 'n Pay Clubs, and I was hitting the ball from one end of the house to the other. And when we relocated to Johannesburg, we went to the World of Golf in Woodmead, and they told me I had a natural talent."
At 5, Moodley played her first nine-hole tournament, and since then has spent most of her life on the golf course. She came into the spotlight back in 2012 when she won the US Kids European Championship.
KAIYUREE MOODLEY YOUTH OLYMPICS PARTICIPANT "Things are starting to happen now. I've won four tournaments already this year. So, my best round of golf was this year actually in PE Golf Club. I set the course record there, shooting 6-under par. My handicap at the moment is +1. For women that is the lowest you can go. But I've worked hard to get to a plus one. Keeping it at that handicap is a lot to maintain. So, I'm pretty proud of that."
The teen star will now be going for gold at the Youth Olympics in Argentina.
"I'm very excited. I can't believe it's already here. I've been waiting since about March. To get between the medals - First, second or third. That would be my ultimate goal, and to win obviously. This whole year, I've been trying to be consistent with every round and every tournament I play. So, I've been doing a good job so far. But when we go to Argentina, just trying to keep my driving accuracy there, keeping my irons close to the green, on the green, close to the flag and making a sure putt."
Moodley has big dreams. After the Olympics, she will focus on finishing school. She then hopes to head off the United States to study psychology and play college golf, and to one day turn pro. JS, CGTN, Johannesburg, South Africa.