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AJGA LENNAR JUNIOR AT MISSION
HILLS
Mission Hills Country Club, Palmer Course
Rancho Mirage, California
June 23-26, 2003
IM CAPTURES TITLE WITH FINAL-ROUND
64
Cochran wins in sudden-death playoff
RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif.- Daniel Im of
La Habra, Calif., rallied on the back nine of his final round
to win the title at the Lennar Junior at Mission Hills. Matching
the tournament record, Im shot an 8-under-par 64 to clinch
the tournament victory at a 54-hole total of 204. Amie Cochran
of Torrance, Calif., took top honors in the Girls Division
after defeating Ki-Shui Liao of Alameda, Calif., on the second
hole of a sudden-death playoff. Cochran and Liao finished
the tournament with matching totals of even-par 216.
Conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, the Lennar
Junior at Mission Hills marks the 22nd annual tournament at
the Mission Hills Country Club and is the longest-running
tournament on the AJGA schedule. The 54-hole event featured
84 boys and girls from 11 states and Canada.
Entering the final round four strokes behind the leader, Im
shot his personal best score to tie the tournament record
of 8-under-par 64; set in the first round by Jason Kang of
Torrance, Calif., bringing him to 12-under-par for the tournament.
Im received an update on the leader group after putting out
on No. 12, where he was only 3-under. He found out that the
leaders were 9-under par for tournament and was determined
to catch up.
"I went insane after twelve," Im said. "I knew
I could go lower, so I just focused, relaxed and played my
game."
Im went birdie, par, eagle, birdie, par and birdie to finish
his final six holes and captured his second AJGA tournament
title.
"I am proud today," Im said. "Tiger Woods and
Phil Mickelson won this tournament before me. To be on the
same champion list is so cool. This is my best win yet."
Louie Bishop of Murrietta, Calif., took second place honors
at 74-67-66-207, with a notable eagle on the par-4 fifth hole.
Wednesday's leader, Chad Moscovic of Stockton, Calif., and
Elliott Wainwright of Hillsborough, Calif., finished the tournament
at 208, in a four-way-tie for third place with Garrett Sapp
of Cerritos, Calif., and Aaron Goldberg of Encinitas, Calif.,
who came from behind, as they were in 10th and 18th place,
respectively after second round play. With nine birdies in
the final round,
Goldberg added his name to the tournament record list as he
posted a career low 8-under-par 64 in the final round.
After leading the tournament all week, Cochran came into the
final round of play with a two-stroke lead over Liao, and
her victory looked promising after carding a 1-under-par 35
on the front nine. But Cochran's lead tapered after a 4-hole
bogey streak on Nos. 13, 14, 15 and 16. Liao responded with
a 3-under-par 33 on the back nine to close the gap.
"The back nine was crazy," Cochran said. "I
hit the 4-iron of my life on No. 15 and still managed to make
bogey. I just couldn't shake it."
Cochran held it together and finished her final two holes
with a par and birdie for a 2-over-par 74, placing her in
a tie with Liao, who shot par 72 in her final round. With
the victor still in question, the girls were sent back to
the 1st tee to determine the champion. After each player made
par on the first playoff hole, Cochran buckled down for a
birdie on No. 16 to seize the title over Liao.
In her first career AJGA win, Cochran says it was her putting
that made the difference in this tournament.
"I practice my putting so hard, and it really paid off
this week," she said. "This win is so special for
me. I have taken second in enough tournaments, I could probably
write a book on how to lose in the final round, but I really
came through today. I am so excited."
Ki-Shui Liao conceded on the second playoff hole, notching
three rounds of 72. Sydnee Michaels of Temecula, Calif., finished
the tournament 4-over-par at 220 for third place honors.
For more information on the Lennar Junior at Mission Hills
or other AJGA events, please call AJGA headquarters at (760)
324-9400.
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