Libby youth golfer Ryggs Johnston took third place in his division while competing at the Hawaiian Classic Golf Tournament on Dec. 20-22 in Maui.

Playing on the Ka’ananpali Kai Course in the 10-year-old boys division, Johnston finished with a three-round score of 232 – 12 shots behind winner Max Ting of Hong Kong and one shot behind runner-up Garrett Barber of Bethesda, Md.

After shooting practice rounds for two days, Johnston opened the tournament with a round of 76 to finish the day one stroke behind Ting, who led from the beginning. Johnston followed up with a 77 on the second day and remained in second place five shots behind the leader.

A highlight of the tournament for Johnston occurred on day two when he landed a shot three inches from the pin on the par-3 hole No. 6. He finished off the hole with a birdie.

On the third day, Johnston shot a 79 and slipped into third behind Barber. He ended up with eight birdies, 12 bogeys and six double-bogeys over the 54 holes.

Ting, Barber and Johnston earned an automatic berth to the U.S. Kids World Championships at Pinehurst, N.C. As a top five finisher at the tournament, Johnson recevied a etched glass bowl trophy.

The tournament features 164 competitors – 22 in the 10-year-old boys divison – from 23 states and seven countries. Johnston was the lone Montana entrant.

Johnston will next compete on Feb. 20-21 in Phoenix at the U.S. Kids Desert Shootout at Wigwam Golf Resort.