DAGERMAN CHARGES TO FOREFRONT AT SOUTHERN OAKS GOLF CLUB
Yang extends lead to four strokes at Elbit Systems of America Junior Golf Classic

FORT WORTH, Texas - Ryan Dagerman of Dallas, moves up from four shots back to take the lead in Wednesday's second round at the Elbit Systems of America Junior Golf Classic, shooting 3-under-par 69. Julie Yang of Phoenix, boosted herself to a four-stroke lead in the Girls Division.

Conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, the Elbit Systems of America Junior Golf Classic is a 54-hole stroke play event held at the Southern Oaks Golf Club. The 120-player field features players from 16 states. The Boys Division is playing the par-72 course at 7,145 yards while the Girls Division is playing at 6,115 yards.

Dagerman gave it his all hitting 14 greens in regulation to jump out in the lead in the second round of the tournament. The 18-year-old, who plans to attend Emory University in the fall, made five birdies to go with his 11 pars. Four of his birdies came on the front nine where he shot 3-under-par 33. Sitting at 72-69—141, Dagerman will carry a one-shot lead going into the final round Thursday. With 10 players within four shots of the lead, Dagerman won't rest easy.

“One stroke is nothing with 18 holes left to play,” Dagerman said. “I have to value all of my shots and not play any differently than I usually do.”

Matthew Seligmann of Houston and Thomas Birdsey of The Woodlands, Texas, are tied for second place at 2-under-par 142. The five players tied in fourth place are Greg O'Connor of Edmond, Okla., Austin Beck, of Coppell, Texas, Andrew Presley of Fort Worth, Texas, Tyler Ledet of Woodworth, La., and Vincent Anagnos of Round Rock, Texas, all at 1-under-par 143.

Yang continues to stay atop the Girls Division carding an even-par 72 today. The 12-year-old started the day on a good note birdying No.1. She totaled 12 pars and three birdies on her way to a two day total 3-under-par 141. She leads the Girls Division by a four-stroke margin. The highlight of her round was her birdie on No. 16. Only three birdies have been recorded in the Girls Division on that hole in the first two rounds.

“I hit my drive really well down the center of the fairway [on No. 16],” Yang said. “Yesterday I was in the bunker, today I hit my second shot to four feet from the flag and made the putt.”

Rounding out the top three in the Girls Division are Kaira Martin of Paradise Valley, Ariz., in second shooting 72-73—145, and Kristina Nhim of Buena Park, Calif., in third at 73-76—149.

The American Junior Golf Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the overall growth and development of young men and women who aspire to earn college golf scholarships through competitive junior golf. The largest Association of its kind, the AJGA has an annual junior membership — boys and girls ages 12-18 — of more than 5,000 junior golfers from 49 states and more than 25 foreign countries.

Titleist, the AJGA's National Sponsor, has been the catalyst and driving force behind the Association's success since 1989. Rolex Watch USA, which is in its third decade of AJGA support, became the inaugural AJGA Premier Partner in 2004. In 2007, after 12 years of support, Polo Ralph Lauren became the AJGA's second Premier Partner.

AJGA alumni have risen to the top of amateur, collegiate and professional golf. More than 160 former AJGA juniors currently play on the PGA and LPGA Tours and have compiled more than 300 wins. AJGA alumni include Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Jim Furyk, Stewart Cink, Davis Love III, Cristie Kerr, Pat Hurst, Paula Creamer, Brittany Lincicome, Morgan Pressel and Julieta Granada.

The final round of the Elbit Systems of America Junior Golf Classic will be Thursday, June 26 with tee times running off the No. 1 tee from 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. For more information about the Elbit Systems of America Junior Golf Classic, please contact Tournament Headquarters at (770) 617-3050.