TRIO OF GOLFERS FIRE 67 TO SHARE BOYS DIVISION LEAD
Oh and Cho head Girls Division by one

PHOENIX, Ariz. -- Colby Beckstrom, Daniel Im, and Taylor Wood each toured The Raven Golf Club at South Mountain at 5-under-par 67 in the first round of the AJGA Arizona Junior Classic. Californians Sunny Oh and Irene Cho share the lead in the Girls Division at 3-under-par 69.

Conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, the 36-hole stroke-play tournament features 144 players from 15 states, including 27 from Arizona, as well as 24 Polo Golf Junior All-Americans.

Beckstrom, of North Muskegon, Mich., has been practicing for just three weeks due to the harsh winter faced in Michigan. Despite the lack of practice time, Beckstrom birdied his first four holes of the day.

"I got off to a good start today," said the 18-year-old Beckstrom. "After that, I had a feeling I could go low and I just tried to relax."

After making the turn at 4-under-par 32, Beckstrom nearly spoiled his round with an errant tee shot on No. 1, his 10th hole of the day. Fortunately, his ball stayed in bounds and he was able to salvage bogey. Birdies on Nos. 5 and 9 pulled Beckstrom back to the top of the leaderboard.

Im, of La Mirada, Calif., won the Compaq Junior All-Star Series Championship and finished runner-up on two other occasions last year. The 15-year-old high school freshman made six birdies and just one bogey en route to his opening-round of 35-32--67. He used just 28 putts on the day, but knows he'll have to post another sub-par round to finish on top.

"I putted really well today and hit a lot of greens," said Im. "This tournament has a lot of good players and it's really competitive. I think it'll take 8- or 9- under to win."

Wood, of Laguna Niguel, Calif., also made six birdies on the day and drew upon prior experience that enabled him to join Beckstrom and Im atop the Boys Division.

"Playing here last year helped me get used to these greens," Wood said. "They don't have a lot of break, but if you hit a good putt today, it went in."

Wood, 17, who was third behind Im's runner-up finish at the AJGA La Purisima Junior Classic last year, agreed with Im on what it will take to claim the tournament.

"If the conditions are like this tomorrow, I think it'll take another low round to win," Wood said.

Breene Murphy, of Los Alamitos, Calif.; and Masaki Nakanishi, of Osaka, Japan, are just one stroke out of the lead after rounds of 4-under-par 68. In all, 24 boys broke the par-72 barrier, including the defending champion, Pansing Singasheni of Beverly Hills, Calif., who sits three shots back entering the final round.

In the Girls Division, Sunny Oh of Torrance, Calif., was at 5-under-par through 14 holes, but bogeyed two of her final four holes to finish 35-34-69. Despite giving shots back on those holes, Oh was pleased with her improvement with the putter.

"My putting was better today than it has been," said Oh, 18, whose previous best AJGA showing was a pair of third-place finishes at the Las Vegas Founders' Legacy Junior and the PING Phoenix Junior Championship.

Irene Cho, 16, matched Oh's opening-round 69 but credited her driver with the success.

"I hit my driver really well," Cho said. "And I didn't miss any fairways."

Cho, who claimed last year's Junior All-Star Classic at Maumee Bay and was runner-up at the Taylor Made-adidas Golf Texas Junior Classic, knows she must continue her consistency.

"I don't want to make any big mistakes," Cho said. "I can't make costly errors (and still win)."

Fellow Torrance native Jane Lee posted a 2-under-par 70 and will be paired with Oh and Cho in the final round. In all, nine girls are within three shots of the lead.

Sunday's final round will begin at 7 a.m. at The Raven Golf Club at South Mountain

PHOENIX, Ariz. -- First-round results from the AJGA ARIZONA JUNIOR CLASSIC conducted by the American Junior Golf Association at The Raven Golf Club at South Mountain. Par: 36-36--72. Yardage: Boys: 6,963 Girls: 6,055

BOYS DIVISION

Daniel Im (2004) La Mirada, Calif.* 35-32--67
Colby Beckstrom (2002) North Muskegon, Mich.* 35-32--67
Taylor Wood (2002) Laguna Niguel, Calif.* 33-34--67
Breene Murphy (2001) Los Alamitos, Calif.* 34-34--68
Masaki Nakanishi (2003) Osaka, Japan* 34-34--68
Nico Bollini (2001) Yorba Linda, Calif.* 33-36--69
Henry Liaw (2003) Rowland Heights, Calif.* 33-36--69
J.J. Wood (2002) Yuma, Ariz.* 35-34--69
Brett Carter (2002) Phoenix, Ariz.* 34-35--69
Ryan Moore (2001) Puyallup, Wash.* 35-34--69
Jay Choi (2002) Buena Park, Calif.* 32-37--69
Mitch Carlson (2002) Las Vegas, Nev.* 34-36--70
Kevin Na (2002) Diamond Bar, Calif.* 37-33--70
Drew Stoltz (2002) Fort Collins, Colo.* 36-34--70
Robert Stone (2002) Dallas, Texas* 35-35--70
Andres Gonzales (2001) Olympia, Wash.* 35-35--70
Jake Grodzinsky (2003) Cornville, Ariz.* 37-33--70
Pansing Singhaseni (2002) Beverly Hills, Calif.* 36-34--70
T.J. Blandford (2001) Paradise Valley, Ariz.* 36-34--70
Charlie Beljan (2003) Mesa, Ariz.* 37-33--70
Trent Rommann (2001) Rio Rancho, N.M.* 36-35--71
Ian Nelson (2001) Canyon Lake, Calif.* 35-36--71
Zach Mowbray (2002) Mesa, Ariz.* 37-34--71
Michael Park (2002) La Crescenta, Calif.* 34-37--71
Rick Doerr (2001) Menlo Park, Calif.* 37-35--72
Spencer Levin (2002) Elk Grove, Calif.* 33-39--72
Ben Hayes (2001) Paradise Valley, Ariz.* 38-34--72
Tyler Symons (2001) Albuquerque, N.M.* 37-35--72
Christopher Garehime (2003) Englewood, Colo.* 37-35--72
Drew Scott (2001) Henderson, Nev.* 35-37--72
D.J. Fernando (2001) Bakersfield, Calif.* 34-38--72
Jesse Mueller (2001) Mesa, Ariz.* 37-35--72
Clay Ogden (2003) West Point, Utah* 37-35--72
Bryson Young (2002) Reno, Nev.* 36-36--72
Mike Rim (2002) Lakewood, Calif.* 35-37--72
David Hawkins (2001) Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.* 37-35--72
Christian Akau (2002) Waipahu, Hawaii* 38-35--73
Doug Kingston (2001) Bethlehem, Pa.* 35-38--73
Chad Wilcox (2003) Peoria, Ariz.* 38-35--73
Michael Feuerstein (2002) La Jolla, Calif.* 35-38--73
Daniel Do (2002) La Habra, Calif.* 37-36--73
Brian O'Flaherty (2001) Westlake Village, Calif.* 38-35--73
Will Mast (2003) Scottsdale, Ariz.* 36-37--73
Brett Upper (2003) Scottsdale, Ariz.* 37-36--73
David Vallina (2002) Langeloth, Pa.* 37-36--73
Nathan Lindstrom (2002) Scottsdale, Ariz.* 40-33--73
Josh Farrell (2001) Springdale, Ark.* 36-37--73
Jason Gambonini (2001) Encintas, Calif.* 39-35--74
Steven Bullock (2002) Dove Canyon, Calif.* 37-37--74
Casey Fowles (2002) Delta, Utah* 36-38--74
Ryan Carter (2001) Hacienda Heights, Calif.* 39-35--74
John Poucher (2001) Santa Barbara, Calif.* 38-36--74
Kenny Coakley (2002) Lakewood, Colo.* 38-36--74
Adam Cohan (2004) Wayne, Pa.* 40-34--74
Adam Sollers (2001) Los Haltos Hills, Calif.* 36-38--74
Paul Imondi (2003) Tustin, Calif.* 37-37--74
Ben Marsh (2003) Paradise Valley, Ariz.* 37-37--74
Ryne Rindfleisch (2001) Murrieta, Calif.* 37-37--74
Scott Vickerstaff (2001) Boulder, Colo.* 39-35--74
Jason Lund (2001) North Ogden, Utah* 37-38--75
Pat Moore (2001) Phoenix, Ariz.* 36-39--75
Kyle Gentry (2002) Carmel, Calif.* 40-35--75
Phillip Telliard (2003) Riverside, Calif.* 40-35--75
Ryan Cole (2001) Fullerton, Calif.* 36-39--75
Matt Brooks (2001) Mesa, Ariz.* 37-38--75
Jong Yoon (2003) San Ramon, Calif.* 36-39--75
Tommy Lopez (2001) College Station, Texas* 37-38--75
Andrew Bostrom (2001) Lynden, Wash.* 35-40--75
Matt McLean (2003) Miami, Fla.* 36-39--75
Martin Carranza (2003) Los Lunas, N.M.* 38-37--75
Chase Thomas (2002) Dallas, Texas* 39-36--75
Paul Stojanovich (2001) Portland, Ore.* 39-36--75
Jonathan Taruc (2003) Las Vegas, Nev.* 39-36--75
Jay Choe (2002) Yorba Linda, Calif.* 36-39--75
Neno Boonyaplanun (2003) Irvine, Calif.* 41-35--76
Duncan Street (2003) Bonita, Calif.* 38-38--76
Mark Hirleman (2001) Mesa, Ariz.* 37-39--76
Jonathan Feuerhelm (2002) Granada Hills, Calif.* 39-37--76
Landon Mizuguchi (2002) Honolulu, Hawaii* 39-37--76
Jeff Berkshire (2002) Litchfield Park, Ariz.* 39-37--76
Matt Kern (2001) Castro Valley, Calif.* 39-37--76
Daniel Kush (2002) Tustin, Calif.* 35-41--76
Brett Sollers (2001) Los Altos Hills, Calif.* 40-36--76
John Mosier (2001) Las Vegas, Nev.* 38-38--76
Ryan Plummer (2001) Winnemucca, Nev.* 41-35--76
Ben Arrington (2002) Tucson, Ariz.* 40-37--77
Greg Wells (2001) Glendora, Calif.* 38-39--77
Jonathan Kreindler (2001) Danville, Calif.* 40-37--77
Tim McKenney (2006) Scottsdale, Ariz.* 37-40--77
Cean Geronimo (2002) Redondo Beach, Calif.* 41-36--77
Danny Wendt (2002) Kingman, Ariz.* 41-36--77
Jeff Hansen (2001) Eugene, Ore.* 39-39--78
Michael Thompson (2003) Tucson, Ariz.* 40-38--78
Jeff Nichols (2002) Rochester Hills, Mich.* 39-39--78
Kevin Austin (2001) Apple Valley, Calif.* 38-40--78
Dana Wade (2001) Las Vegas, Nev.* 37-41--78
Jason Kokrak (2003) Warren, Ohio* 37-41--78
Bradley Shaw (2001) Pacific Palisades, Calif.* 40-38--78
Vincent Johnson (2004) Portland, Ore.* 40-39--79
Kellen-Floyd Asao (2001) Pearl City, Hawaii* 42-37--79
Ryan Marshall (2001) Marco Island, Fla.* 38-41--79
Bobby Sawdey (2001) Phoenix, Ariz.* 44-35--79
Michael Ferris (2002) Glendale, Ariz.* 41-40--81
Jimmy Yandell (2001) Tucson, Ariz.* 45-37--82
Ryan Gomm (2001) Henderson, Nev.* 40-42--82
Ryan Grant (2002) Scottsdale, Ariz.* 42-40--82
Adam Wacker (2001) Phoenix, Ariz.* 44-41--85
Joseph Kim (2003) Laguna Niguel, Calif.* DQ (Rule 6-3a)

GIRLS DIVISION

Sunny Oh (2002) Torrance, Calif.* 35-34--69
Irene Cho (2002) La Habra, Calif.* 36-33--69
Jane Lee (2004) Torrance, Calif.* 37-33--70
Paula Creamer (2005) Pleasanton, Calif.* 35-35--70
Ina Kim (2001) Encino, Calif.* 34-37--71
Erica Blasberg (2002) Corona, Calif.* 36-35--71
Courtney Clark (2002) Del Rey Oaks, Calif.* 35-36--71
Whitney Welch (2002) Las Vegas, Nev.* 38-34--72
Elena Kurokawa (2002) Redondo Beach, Calif.* 34-38--72
Sara Jones (2002) Valencia, Calif.* 36-36--72
Leslie Wall (2003) Dallas, Texas* 37-35--72
Emma Stachowicz (2002) Pacific Palisades, Calif.* 35-37--72
Stella Lee (2001) Irvine, Calif.* 38-35--73
Jennifer Tangtiphaiboontana (2003) Long Beach, Calif.* 36-37--73
Alissa Kuczka (2002) Phoenix, Ariz.* 36-37--73
Allison Martin (2003) Bakersfield, Calif.* 37-37--74
Mika Takayama (2002) Alameda, Calif.* 36-38--74
Erin Andrews (2002) Las Vegas, Nev.* 36-38--74
Walailak Satarak (2001) Paramount, Calif.* 38-36--74
Sarah Heffel (2001) Mesa, Ariz.* 38-36--74
Young Pak (2001) Cerritos, Calif.* 34-41--75
Jennifer Karr (2001) Scottsdale, Ariz.* 39-36--75
Jane Park (2005) La Crescenta, Calif.* 39-36--75
Angela Won (2002) Irvine, Calif.* 38-37--75
Jennie Lee (2005) Huntington Beach, Calif.* 37-38--75
Yvonne Choe (2001) Temple City, Calif.* 36-40--76
Priscilla Park (2002) Santa Ana, Calif.* 37-39--76
Mayumi Kobayashi (2004) Santa Monica, Calif.* 37-39--76
Candy Herrera (2002) Apple Valley, Calif.* 41-36--77
Charlotte Mayorkas (2001) Chula Vista, Calif.* 38-39--77
Erin Long (2001) Napa, Calif.* 40-37--77
Nikki Jacoby (2002) San Diego, Calif.* 38-39--77
Alyssa Otero (2003) Santa Fe, N.M.* 38-40--78
Lauren Brown (2003) Phoenix, Ariz.* 43-36--79
Amy Wang (2003) Kirkland, Wash.* 41-39--80
Rie Ganir (2002) Pukalani, Hawaii* 44-37--81