Oliver Betschart failed to capitalise on a strong first round at the Southern Texas PGA Junior Golf Tour at the Vaaler Creek Golf Club In Blanco, Texas, at the weekend.

The 14-year-old shot an eight over 152 to finish fifth among his age group and tied for eighteenth overall at the 36-hole STPGA Prestige Tour Shootout in the Hills.

Betschart made a bright start on day one after carding a two-over 74 in the opening round to grab a share of the lead in his age category.

“I was pleased with my play on the first day with an eagle and three birdies,” he said. “I also had two doubles and three bogeys but I never give up and always try and find a way to get back.”

With the title there for the taking, the promising player got off to a poor start in the final round after carding a bogey and a triple bogey on the first two holes to make the turn at six over, but he rallied on the back nine, which he played at even par after carding two birdies and as many bogeys.

That was good enough for a tie for eighteenth, ten shots behind winner Jaxon Donaldson, who was the only player to finish the tournament under par.

“The second day was a tough start, but I knew that I could get back into it,” Betschart said. “I got some out of the way there on the back nine but just not enough.”

Betschart’s latest display comes hot on the heels of a fourth-place finish at the Rio Pinar Junior Open in Orlando last month, while last year he recorded three victories on the Southern Texas PGA Junior Golf Tour and another in a regional under-14 Swiss Golf-sponsored tournament in Lucerne.

Betschart also became the youngest player to win the Port Royal Golf Club Championship and made his debut on the Advocates Professional Golf Association Tour (APGA) last year.