HERNANDEZ TAKES THE LEAD AFTER SECOND ROUND AT FOX HILLS
Martin leads Girls Division
Mishicot, Wis. — Juan Pablo Hernandez of Mexico City, Mexico, shot an even-par 72 for a two-day tournament total of 141 and the lead in the Boys Division after the second round of the Nike Golf Junior at Fox Hills on Wednesday. In the Girls Division, Kaira Martin of Paradise Valley, Ariz., stands alone in first place after recording a 3-over-par 75 for a two-day total of 151.
Conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, the Nike Golf Junior at Fox Hills is a 54-hole stroke play event being held at Fox Hills Resort — The National course. The tournament features 68 boys and 19 girls from 22 states and Mexico. The Nike Golf Junior All-Star series allows players ages 12-15 to develop their skills and earn entry into other AJGA tournaments.
Playing in his first AJGA event, Hernandez, 14, began his round with birdies on hole Nos. 1 and 3 and finished with a chip-in for birdie on No. 18. His 35-37—72 also included 12 pars. Hernandez believed the course played tougher than it did yesterday and he did not expect to be in the lead after the second round.
“It seemed windier today,” Hernandez said. “I felt like I played good and my chipping was better.”
After shooting a 2-under-par 70, Jordan McLaurin of Ironton, Mo., stands alone in second place with a two-day total of 142. Tied for third place with tournament totals of 143 are Anthony Aicher of Wausau, Wis., and Andrew Colvin of Longwood, Fla. Cory Whitsett of Houston and Adam Sumrall of South Bend, Ind., are tied for fifth place with two-day totals of 144.
By improving her putting accuracy, Martin, 13, was able to lower her score by one stroke and advanced her position on the Girls' leaderboard. Martin had a 37 on the front nine and a 38 on the back nine, which included 13 pars and a birdie on the par-4 12th hole.
“My round went well because I was able to get my long putts close, which made it easier to get par,” Martin said. “I am definitely going to try my hardest tomorrow and keep putting like I did today.”
Meredith Swanson shot a 1-over-par 73 for a two-day total of 153 and sole possession of second place. Christine Meier of Rochester Hills, Mich., is in third place with a tournament total of 154.
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 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, a supporter of the AJGA since 1983, 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, Dottie Pepper, Grace Park, Cristie Kerr and Beth Bauer.
Final-round pairings will begin off the No. 1 and 10 tees at 7 a.m on Thursday. For more information about the Nike Golf Junior at Fox Hills, call tournament headquarters at (920) 755-2376, room 1052.
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