March has been a remarkable month for IJGA alumni across both the collegiate and professional ranks. From PGA Tour debuts to team championships, our former students are competing at the highest levels and making a strong case for the long-term impact of their time at the academy.
Filip Jakubčík: PGA Tour Debut and Collegiate Heroics
Currently ranked No. 6 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR), Filip Jakubčík has had a month to remember. After making his PGA Tour debut at the Puerto Rico Open earlier in March, Filip made a stop at IJGA — a place he still calls home — before returning to the University of Arizona to compete in their home invitational, the Thunderbird Collegiate.
The results there were exceptional. Filip finished second individually at –10, but his most important contribution came when it mattered most: a clutch up-and-down from a near-impossible position on the 18th hole helped the Wildcats secure the team title by a single shot over a highly competitive field. Composure under pressure, honed over years of elite junior competition: exactly what IJGA is built to develop.
John Daly II: Leading Arkansas to Victory at His PGA Tour Debut
WAGR No. 53 John Daly II had an equally impressive March. He led the University of Arkansas to victory at the All-American Collegiate in Texas, joined in that win by fellow IJGA alumnus Gerardo Gomez.
Like Filip, John also made his PGA Tour debut at the Puerto Rico Open — and he nearly contended. After 63 holes, he stood just one shot off the lead before finishing T37 at –7, a result that drew praise from his father, John Daly Sr., who made clear how proud he was of the performance. It was, by any measure, a truly impressive professional debut.
A Friendly Rivalry That Shaped Two Careers
During his two years at IJGA, John’s roommate was Jack Turner, now competing for the University of Florida. The two shared a rivalry that became the stuff of junior golf lore, most memorably when they met in a playoff at the Junior Heritage in Hilton Head.
Jack ultimately won on the first playoff hole, the iconic 9th at Harbour Town, with both players finishing just ahead of Nick Dunlap in what was an extraordinary field. Jack recently reflected on that rivalry — and his time at IJGA — in a Sports Illustrated podcast with Dan Evans, offering a candid look at how that period shaped his competitive development.
Petr Hruby: Qualifying for Bishops Gate
Rounding out a month full of alumni achievements, Czech Republic native and IJGA alumnus Petr Hruby — a countryman of Filip Jakubčík — earned his way into the Bishops Gate event by finishing second in the qualifier held at The Landings in Savannah. The result meant postponing a planned visit to the academy, but it’s exactly the kind of outcome we love to see. We wish Petr the very best as he competes this week.
March has been a reminder of what IJGA alumni are capable of when they step onto the biggest stages and of the lasting bonds formed during their time here. We couldn’t be more proud of each of them.
Stay up to date with IJGA alumni news and student results at ijga.com.
