ZECH CARRIES LEAD INTO FINAL ROUND IN KANSAS CITY

Lederhausen holds onto one-stroke lead at Lockton/Capitol Federal Kansas City Junior

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Ryan Zech of Kearney, Mo., carded an even-par 72 to pull ahead by two strokes at the Lockton/Capitol Federal Kansas City Junior. In the Girls Division, Alexandra Lederhausen of Hinsdale, Ill., sits alone in the top spot after a second-round 7-over-par 79.

Conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, the Lockton/Capitol Federal Kansas City Junior is a 54-hole stroke play event being held at Oakwood Country Club. The tournament field features 74 boys and 24 girls, ages 12-18, from 21 states and Canada. The Boys Division is playing the par-72 course at 6,522 yards, while the Girls Division is playing the course at 6,038 yards.

Zech played another consistent round in Wednesday's soggy conditions, recording four birdies to post a 6-under-par 138 and maintain his position on the leaderboard. Zech will carry a two-stroke lead into the final round and says he hopes to continue his solid play without being too aggressive.

“I had a couple of rough holes but that is always going to happen on a course like this,” Zech said. “If you keep your mistakes minimal you can shoot low.”

Ryan Marks of Warrensburg, Mo., and Harry Higgs of Overland Park, Kan., are tied for second place at 4-under-par 140. In fourth is Kevin Gillick of Scottsdale, Ariz., at 3-under-par 141, followed by Ryan Blair of Center Valley, Pa., in fifth at 2-under-par 142.

Lederhausen posted 11 pars and one birdie to finish at a two-day total 6-over-par 150. While not ecstatic about her play, she was happy with her position playing in the rough conditions. Leaderhausen enters the final round of her AJGA career with a one-shot lead.

“I want to make birdies,” Lederhausen said. “That is my number one goal.”

Kristina Nhim of Buena Park, Calif., sits one-stroke behind in second at 7-over-par 151. Katie Sylvan of San Diego holds third at 8-over-par 152.

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 Lockton/Capitol Federal Kansas City Junior is Thursday, July 31, with tee times running off the No. 1 tee from 7 a.m. — 12:20 p.m. at Oakwood Country Club. For more information about the Lockton/Capitol Federal Kansas City Junior, please contact Tournament Headquarters at (678)-617-9406.