AJGA SOUTHWESTERN JUNIOR CLASSIC
Isleta Eagle Golf Course
Albuquerque, New Mexico
May 27-30, 2003
TOLAN EXTENDS LEAD IN SECOND-ROUND
IN ALBUQUERQUE
Blumenherst races to top of Girls Division
ALBUQUERQUE, N. M. -
On the strength of his second straight 4-under-par 68, Derek
Tolan maintained his lead at the AJGA Southwestern Junior
Classic on Thursday. Amanda Blumenherst fired a tournament
low 6-under-par 66 to climb to the top of the Girls Division
leaderboard.
Conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, the Southwestern
Junior Classic features 102 players from 20 states, Canada,
Peru and Puerto Rico. The 54-hole tournament is being conducted
at the par-72 Isleta Eagle Golf Course in Albuquerque on
May 27-30.
Tolan, of Highlands Ranch, Colo., took advantage of optimum
scoring conditions. He picked up birdies at Nos. 1, 3, 6
and 9 before closing his round well with birdies at Nos.
14 and 17. At 8-under-par, Tolan has recorded 11 birdies
in the first two days of the tournament.
"I just see the greens really well," Tolan said.
"I putt the greens really well. The course sets up
good for me."
Thanks to the Boys Division best score of 67, Mitchell McCaughan,
of Sumner, Wash., jumped from 15th into second place. Despite
starting the day at 1-over-par, McCaughan improved to 4-under-par.
"Yesterday I didn't feel comfortable out there,"
McCaughan said. "I was too timid. I was kind of trying
to steer the ball around the course. Today I just went after
things and got a little more aggressive."
David McDaniel, of Tuscon, Ariz., who was tied for third
after the first day, fired a 3-under-par 69 and played his
way into Friday's final group. He ended his round with the
shot of the day, burying his approach to the par-4 No. 18
for an eagle.
Blumenherst, who was tied for third after a first-round
73, rode her hot putter to a 32 on the front nine, carding
four birdies on the first nine holes. Blumenherst punctuated
her bogey-free day with birdies on Nos. 17 and 18. On the
370-yard No. 18, she put her approach shot within four feet
then pumped her fist in celebration after sinking the putt.
"I definitely putted very well," Blumenherst said.
"I didn't three putt once today and that helped quite
a bit. Putting was definitely my improvement from yesterday."
Blumenherst, who finished in second place last week at the
Thunderbird International Junior in Pheonix, Ariz., said
66 is a personal best score.
First-round leader Michaela Cavener continued her solid
play, shooting an even-par 72, and trails Blumenherst by
two strokes. Amie Cochran will complete the leader group
on Friday, after shooting a 4-under-par 68. She is also
two shots behind the lead.
Final-round play will begin Friday at 7 a.m. For more information
on the AJGA Southwestern Junior Classic, please contact
tournament headquarters at (505) 869-0950.
