Francis takes over top spot at Genesis Shootout presented by the Valero Texas Open
Sims and Quinton tied for Girls Division lead heading into final round

FAIR OAKS RANCH, Texas — Kyle Francis of San Antonio fired a 2-under-par 70 in Wednesday's second round of the Genesis Shootout presented by the Valero Texas Open for a tournament total of 3-under-par 141. Sierra Sims of Austin, Texas, and Kayli Quinton of Houston are tied for the lead in the Girls Division at even-par 144 for the tournament.

Conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, the Genesis Shootout present by the Valero Texas Open is a 54-hole stroke play event with a 36-hole cut at Fair Oaks Ranch Golf & Country Club — Live Oak Course. The tournament field consists of 96 boys and 39 girls from 8 states and Mexico. The Boys Division plays the par-72 course at 6,943 yards and the Girls Division plays at 6,197 yards.

Francis' four birdies on the back nine were enough to push him into the lead in the Boys Division.

“It feels awesome and it means a lot to be leading after the second round since this tournament is so close to home,” the San Antonio native said. “I'm going to try and go into the final round with the same mindset I've had all week and just try and continue to play steady golf.”

Grant Bennett of Prosper, Texas, fired a 4-under-par 68 for a tournament total of 2-under-par 142 and sits in second. Peter Fox of Mission, Texas, Nick Thornton of Boerne, Texas, and Roman Robledo of Harlingen, Texas, are tied for third after shooting a tournament total of 1-under-par 143.

First-round co-leader, Sims is once again tied atop the leader board after a 4-over-par round of 76.

“Again, my putting was working really well considering my drives were off and I got into some trouble with the trees,” Sims said. “It's good to have the lead two days in a row. It definitely takes off a little bit of pressure headed into the final round.”

Quinton fired three birdies in the second round en route to a 1-under-par 71 and a share of the lead.

“I tried to go out there and shoot the best shot I possibly could and try to do what the leaders did yesterday, so I'm really excited,” Quinton said. “I was able to hit my irons really well today and I was able to give myself good birdie opportunities.”

Marijosse Navarro of San Antonio and Grace Choi of Dallas are tied for third with a tournament total of 1-over-par 145.

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 AJGA provides valuable exposure for college golf scholarships, and has an annual junior membership (boys and girls ages 12-18) of approximately 5,000 junior golfers from 49 states and more than 40 countries. To ensure scholarship opportunities for all junior golfers who have the skill, the AJGA created the Achieving Competitive Excellence (ACE) Grant program to provide financial assistance to young players in need.

Titleist, the AJGA's National Sponsor, has been the catalyst and driving force behind the Association's success since 1989. Rolex, 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. Former AJGA juniors have compiled more than 500 victories on the PGA and LPGA Tours. AJGA alumni include Stewart Cink, Matt Kuchar, Hunter Mahan, Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods, Paula Creamer, Cristie Kerr, Inbee Park and Morgan Pressel.

The final round of the Genesis Shootout presented by the Valero Texas Open will tee off Nos. 1 and 10 from 7:45 — 9:35 a.m. For more information, please contact Tournament Director Julie Kickbusch at (770) 617-3050 or visit tournament headquarters located in the Board Room at Fair Oaks Ranch Golf & Country Club.