SAARI SHOOTS 68 TO MOVE INTO BOYS DIVISION LEAD AT GREEN VALLEY
Park extends lead to 8 shots after second-round 70

GREENVILLE, S.C.-John Saari of Lilburn, Ga., posted a second-round of 4-under-par 68 Wednesday to assume the lead of the Dunlop Carolina Junior Championship at 3-under-141 with 18 holes remaining. Reigning AJGA Polo Golf Player of the Year In-Bee Park maintained her lead in the Girls Division as she shot 2-under-par 70 Wednesday, bringing her to 6-under-par 138 for the tournament.

Conducted by the American Junior Golf Association at Green Valley Country Club, the Dunlop Carolina Junior Championship boasts a total of 99 juniors, 75 boys and 24 girls ages 13-18, from 13 states and the Bahamas competing in a 54-hole stroke play event.

"I'll try to do the same stuff tomorrow as I did today," Saari said. "I was just trying to play it safe today. This is the best I've done in the first two rounds of a national tournament, so I don't want to start thinking too much or get angry if I make a bad shot tomorrow."

The 18-year-old said he employed a conservative approach Wednesday, aiming for the edges of the greens rather than straight for the holes. Saari only used his driver twice during the second round, resulting in just one bogey all day.

"I tried to play the safe side of the greens and if anything happened, I'd have easy chips onto the green," said Saari, who is bound for Berry College in Rome, Ga.

Matthew Swan, from Montgomery, Ala., stands in second at 2-under-par 142. Defending champion J.D. Bass of Fairview, N.C., joins Eddie Brock, Jr. of Wilmington, N.C., in a tie for third at 1-under-par 143.

Park, from Eustis, Fla., moved one round closer to claiming her first AJGA title of the 2003 season. Contrary to Saari's approach, Park plans to continue the aggressive game plan that has earned her a 8-shot lead with one round remaining.

"I'm going to do my best tomorrow and play aggressive," she said. "I'm glad to be here. I'm enjoying it and it's helping me to have more confidence."

The 14-year-old made only one bogey Wednesday when she put her tee shot 10 yards to the right of the green on the 159-yard, par-3 14th hole. Park then chipped onto the green and two putted to make a four-her lone blemish of the day. Her brightest moment came on the 17th hole when she rolled in a 20-footer for birdie.

Trailing Park in second place is Sukjin Wuesthoff of Toms River, N.J., at 2-over-par 146. Julieta Granada, from Bradenton, Fla., is third at 6-over-par 150.

The Dunlop Carolina Junior Championship concludes Thursday when players tee off at 7 a.m. in the event's third and final round. For more information on the Dunlop Carolina Junior Championship, contact tournament headquarters at (864) 246-3941.