HOME TOWN FAVORITE MCINERNEY WINS AT ANTHEM COUNTRY CLUB

Baraquiel edges out the competition at the Las Vegas Junior Open presented by The Pacemaker

HENDERSON, Nev. — AJ McInerney of Henderson, Nev., took the win for the Boys Division Thursday at the Las Vegas Junior Open presented by The Pacemaker, posting a three day total 1-under-par 215. After a two hole sudden death playoff, Sunshine Baraquiel of Chatsworth, Calif., won her second AJGA event this season, finishing with a three day total of 14-over-par 230.

Conducted by the American Junior Golf Association the Las Vegas Junior Open presented by The Pacemaker was a 54-hole stroke play event held at Anthem Country Club. The tournament field featured 54 boys and 24 girls, ages 12-18, from 11 states, Mexico and Canada. The Boys Division played the par-72 course at 7,360 yards, while the Girls Division played at 6,331 yards.

McInerney began the final round on a high note, making birdies on Nos. 1 and 2. He then went on to make a 15-foot putt on No. 3 for par. After making birdie on No. 8, McInerney finished the front nine at 2-under-par. He then birdied Nos. 10 and 15 to end the round with a 4-under-par 68. McInerney was pleased with his overall game over the past three days, especially his putting.

“My putting was the biggest obstacle I had to overcome,” said McInerney. “I worked with The Pacemaker a lot over the weekend, which I think really helped me in the tournament.”

Coming in second was Tad Murray of La Quinta, Calif., who posted a 2-over-par 218. Tied for third were Seiji Liu of Beverly Hills, Calif., and Joseph Stewart of Palm Desert, Calif., who each posted a 4-over-par 220. Daniel Covrig of Modesto, Calif., took fifth posting a 5-over-par 221.

In the Girls Division, Baraquiel took the win after a sudden death playoff with Lindsey Weaver of Scottsdale, Ariz., and Dana Finkelstein of Chandler, Ariz. Baraquiel began the round in fifth, two strokes behind second round leader Tessa The of Los Altos, Calif. After making the turn at 3-over-par for the day, Baraquiel didn't realize she was in contention for the win; she was more focused on getting the low round.

“This morning all I really wanted was the Scotty Cameron putter cover,” Baraquiel said. “I knew that the only way to win was to shoot low, so that was my goal throughout the day. It wasn't until I was in the playoff that I realized I even had a chance.”

Rounding out the Girls Division tied for second were Weaver and Finkelstein each posting 14-over-par three-day totals of 230.

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, the largest Association of its kind, has an annual junior membership (boys and girls ages 12-18) of approximately 5,000 junior golfers from 50 states and 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.

For more information about the Las Vegas Junior Open presented by The Pacemaker, please contact National Headquarters at (770) 868-4200.