Bermuda junior golfer Jarryd Dillas showed huge heart, pulling himself back into the limelight and the top ten at the 2002 Callaway Junior World Championships in San Diego, California, USA, last Friday.

The Saltus Grammar School graduate blazed to a one-under 71 in the tournament's final round to finish tied for eighth overall with eight-over 296 in the Boys' 15-17 Division.

That age group was won by Thailand's Prom Meesawat whose recorded four rounds of even-par on the par-72 course at Torrey Pines South for a total of 288.

"I am very happy with how I played. It was a very good round (Friday). I had three birdies and two bogeys and my one-under 71 was tied for the lowest round of the day. It moved me from a tie for 14th to a tie for eighth," said the 16-year-old.

The tournament brought out the best in his golf as he had to recover from a six-over 80 in the second round - following a first round of one-under 71 - and not allow it to affect him. In addition, tournament organisers stretched the course for the final round to make it more challenging, with some par threes being extended to 240 yards.

"The 74 (third round) got me back into top ten contention and I knew I needed an even-par or better to move up the leaderboard. It was great," added Dillas.

"These last two weeks have given me lots of confidence. I know I can compete with these guys who are some of the best juniors in the world. These are many of the players who I'll come up against at collegiate level. Also, there were many college coaches at the event all week and it was good to put up this performance in front of them," said Dillas, who will be going to college next September after a year at the David Leadbetter Golf Academy in Florida.