FORTNER FIRES A 2-UNDER-PAR 70, TAKES CONTROL AT TROPHY LAKE
Michaels leads for the second consecutive day in the Girls Division

PORT ORCHARD, Wash. — Doug Fortner of Tustin, Calif., took over the lead at the Pacific Northwest International Junior presented by Jeff Troesch after shooting a 2-under-par 70. He now holds a one-shot lead over three others in the Boys Division. In the Girls Division, Sydnee Michaels of Temecula, Calif., strengthened her commanding lead over the rest of the pack after shooting an even-par 72.

The Pacific Northwest International Junior presented by Jeff Troesch, conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, features 63 boys and 20 girls — ages 12-18 — from 11 states and two foreign countries. The event is being staged on the 6,983-yard, par-72 Trophy Lake Golf and Casting (Girls Division played at 5,939 yards).

Wednesday's round started slowly for Fortner, as he made bogey on his first hole of the day, the 434-yard, par-4 No. 10. He picked up the pace as he neared the turn, finishing his first nine with consecutive birdies. The 17-year-old finished out the day with a bang as he made birdie on his final two holes, sinking a 20-footer to end the day.

“My approach shots really set me up,” said Fortner. “But I had to have patience in order to make the putts.”

While Fortner sits at the top of the field with a two-day total of 141, he will have to watch a tight pack. In a three-way tie for second with a two day total of 142 are Kyle Stanley of Gig Harbor, Wash., Ryan Hallisey of Granite Bay, Calif., and Blake Carley of Boise, Idaho. Rounding out the top five are Eugene Wong of North Vancouver, B.C., and Colby Smith of Auburn, Calif., both with two-day totals of 144.

Michaels' even-par 72 was the low round for the second straight day in the Girls Division. After starting her round on the back nine, she played her second nine at 1-under-par.

“I was really focused out there,” Michaels said. “I can't get caught up in thinking about tomorrow, but hopefully I will play well.”

Her two-day total of 139 puts her ahead of her nearest competitor by nine strokes. In second place, with a two-day total of 148, is Jane Rah of Torrance, Calif. Following close in third is Melissa Mabanta of Phoenix, with a 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 a junior membership (boys and girls ages 12-18) of approximately 5,000 junior golfers from 50 states and 30 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 enters its third decade of support, became the inaugural AJGA Premier Partner in 2004.

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 Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods, David Love III, Mike Weir, Charles Howell III, Jim Furyk, Vicki Goetze-Ackerman, Grace Park, Cristie Kerr and Beth Bauer.

Tee times for the final-round will start at 6:45 a.m. off the Nos. 1 and 10 tees.

For more information about the Pacific Northwest International Junior presented by Jeff Troesch, contact tournament headquarters at (360) 874-8337.