OSSO SWEET! TODD DEFEATS REYNOLDS IN PLAYOFF TO CLAIM TITLE
Knoll claims third title of 2003

EDMOND, Okla. - On a day in which thrills seemed to pop up at every turn, Trey Todd of Abilene, Texas, defeated Zac Reynolds of Edmond, Okla. on the first hole of a sudden death playoff to win the OSSO Junior at Oak Tree. In the Girls Division, Ashley Knoll of The Woodlands, Texas, took advantage of a 2-under-par back nine to claim her third American Junior Golf Association title of 2003.

The 54-hole competition, conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, was played at the Oak Tree Country Club, East Course. The field consisted of 145 players representing 14 states, including 58 players from the state of Texas. The tournament contained two divisions consisting of boys and girls ages 13 to 18.

Throughout the final nine holes on Thursday, Todd and Reynolds went neck-and-neck before finishing the day with matching 3-over-par 73s. The two finished at 6-over-par 216 for the tournament and went on to a sudden-death playoff on the 467-yard, par-4 ninth hole.

Both players were solid off the tee, striking their tee shots down the middle of the fairway. Both competitors then knocked their second shots 20 feet away from the hole. The drama that had been prevalent throughout the day only got better as Todd sank his birdie putt, conjuring up a roar from a large group of spectators who followed throughout the day. Reynolds had a chance to match the birdie and extend the playoff to a second hole, however his birdie attempt lipped out to assure Todd of the victory.

"It was pretty intense," Todd said. "Both of these guys (Reynolds and fourth-place finisher Robby Ormand) are great players. It was tiring, but it was one of the most fun rounds I think I have ever had in golf."

Kevin Schultz of Richardson, Texas, finished in third place three shots behind the leaders after completing the tournament at 9-over-par 219. Ormand of Austin, Texas, who played with Todd and Reynolds in the last group, tied for fourth with Vincent Nadeau of Oklahoma City, Okla., four shot behind the leaders.

In the Girls Division, Ashley Knoll of The Woodlands, Texas, added to a growing list of championships after firing an even-par 70 on Thursday, finishing at 7-over-par 217 for the tournament. The win at Oak Tree was

Knoll's third of the 2003 season, coming on the heels of wins at the Justin Leonard/Deloitte & Touche Junior Team Championship earlier this month and the Thunderbird International Junior in May.

Knoll finished two shots clear of playing companion Lacey Jones of Idabel, Okla., and Haley Brown of Austin, Texas, both of whom finished the tournament at 9-over-par 219.

Knoll trailed Jones by one shot going into the back nine, but climbed into a tie for the lead after making a birdie on the par-4 10th. Knoll's bogey-free back nine was the key to ensuring the two-shot victory.

"I try to set a goal when I'm in the final day going neck-and-neck with somebody so I'm not focusing on the other person," Knoll said.

Lauren Espinosa of Irving, Texas, finished in fourth place after firing a tournament low 4-under-par 66 on Thursday to conclude the event at 12-over-par 222.

For more information on the OSSO Junior at Oak Tree, contact national headquarters at (770) 868-4200.