LIPSKY MAINTAINS LEAD AT PINNACLE COMMUNITIES JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP
Lee scrambles for two birdies, finishes second round still in lead

COTO DE CAZA, Calif. — David Lipsky of La Canada, Calif., shot a 3-over-par 75 to maintain the Boys Division lead with a two-day total of even-par 144 at the Pinnacle Communities Junior Championship. In the Girls Division, Jenny Lee of La Canada, Calif., also held onto her lead after shooting a 3-over-par 75 to finish the second round at 4-over-par 148.

Conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, the Pinnacle Communities Junior Championship is being played on Coto de Caza Golf & Racquet Club's par-72 North Course. The 54-hole event features 72 boys and 27 girls, ages 12-18, from 11 states and two countries, including 77 players from California.

Lipsky battled tough winds on his back nine, but the three-year AJGA veteran made adjustments and kept himself focused on the lead. As for Friday's final round, thoughts of winning will present themselves when Lipsky finds necessary.

“I just want to hit greens tomorrow,” Lipsky said. “I'll think about [winning] when the time comes.”

Beginning his freshman year at Northwestern University in September, Lipsky acknowledged the AJGA for the experience he will draw upon as a collegiate golfer. He can draw upon that same experience tomorrow when he brings a one-stroke lead into the final round.

“[The AJGA] has done a lot for me,” Lipsky said. “They've let me play against the best players in the nation, and they've taught me what I have to do to get better.”

Sihwan Kim of Buena Park, Calif., is in second place after a 2-over-par 74 put him at 1-over-par 145. Sam Chien of San Diego, is in third after a 1-under-par 71 left him at 2-over-par 146. Colin Featherstone of Fallbrook, Calif., fired a 2-under-par 70 to sit in fourth at 3-over-par 147. Eric Mina of Fremont, Calif., is in fifth place at 148.

In the Girls Division, Lee did not begin her round exactly how she had wanted to. After she double bogeyed her first hole, Lee followed with a bogey on her second hole. She stepped back and assessed her round up until that point.

“When I don't hit fairways, I make bogeys,” Lee said.

Lee soon rattled off consecutive birdies on Nos. 7 and 8 and began feeling good about her round. Lee, who is looking for her first AJGA win, emphasized the importance of playing steady golf in the final round.

“Tomorrow, I'm going to try to shoot around even and just hit fairways and greens,” Lee said.

Won Joo Choi of Temecula, Calif., shot a 3-over-par 75 to finish the second round in second place. Lizette Salas of Azusa, Calif., Lalita Patipaksiri of Cypress, Calif., and In-Ah Park of Las Vegas, are tied for third with 151 tournament totals.

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 counties.

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 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, Davis Love III, Mike Weir, Charles Howell III, Jim Furyk, Grace Park, Cristie Kerr, Candie Kung and Paula Creamer.

The final round of the Pinnacle Communities Junior Championship will begin Friday, August 11 with tee times starting at 7:30 a.m. off the No. 1 tee. For more information on the Pinnacle Communities Junior Championship, contact tournament headquarters at (949) 858-4100 and ask for the AJGA, or visit the AJGA Web site at ajga.org.

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