Finnell finishes above rest to secure first AJGA victory
Li maintains lead at Centennial Golf Club for first AJGA win

MEDFORD, Ore. – Skyler Finnell of Carmel, Calif., shot a 2-under-par 70 Thursday to secure his first American Junior Golf Association victory. Catherina Li of Kent, Wash., also claimed her first AJGA victory with a 5-under-par total of 211.

The AJGA Junior at Centennial was a 54-hole stroke play event conducted by the American Junior Golf Association at Centennial Golf Club in Medford, Ore. The tournament field featured 107 boys and 33 girls from twelve states and six countries. The Boys Division played the par-72 course at 7,155 yards and the Girls Division played at 6,035 yards.

Finnell began the third round with a share of the lead, but he separated himself from the field by starting birdie, eagle on Nos. 1 and 2.

“I made par on No. 2 the first two rounds,” Finnell said. “I played the hole the same today but was able to make my putt for eagle.”

Finnell followed up his eagle with two bogeys but was able to par out the rest of the front nine. He credited his positive attitude to helping him win.

“I was able to stay in it and grind,” Finnell said. “I wanted to play the best I could and stay in it and it worked out in my favor.”

Lawrence Fu of Piedmont, Calif., finished in second after carding a 7-under-par total of 209. Andrew Morgan of Long Beach, Calif., placed third with a 6-under-par total of 210. Frank Garber of Kirkland, Wash., finished in fourth with a 5-under-par total of 211. Tied for fifth were Robin Kang of Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif., and Li Wang of Sammamish, Wash., with 4-under-par totals of 212.

In the Girls Division, Li shot even par during the final round to remain in first place and claim the victory. She credits her first AJGA win to staying calm and trusting her abilities.

“I just focused on playing well and playing my own game. I stayed true to myself and trusted what I saw,” Li said. “My nerves have gotten to me before but today I wasn't nervous, I wasn't shaking at all. I just stayed in the present.”

Amy Lee of Brea, Calif., finished in second by carding a 2-under-par total of 214. Allisen Corpuz of Honolulu and Alexandra Kaui of Las Vegas tied for third with a 1-under-par total of 215.

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 provides valuable exposure for college golf scholarships, and has an annual junior membership (boys and girls ages 12-18) of approximately 5,000 junior golfers from 49 states and more than 40 countries. To ensure scholarship opportunities for all junior golfers who have the skill, the AJGA created the Achieving Competitive Excellence (ACE) Grant program to provide financial assistance to young players in need.

Titleist, the AJGA's National Sponsor, has been the catalyst and driving force behind the Association's success since 1989. Rolex, 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. Former AJGA juniors have compiled more than 500 victories on the PGA and LPGA Tours. AJGA alumni include Stewart Cink, Matt Kuchar, Hunter Mahan, Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods, Paula Creamer, Cristie Kerr, Inbee Park and Morgan Pressel.

For more information about the AJGA Junior at Centennial, contact AJGA National Headquarters at (770) 868-4200.