TAKAMATSU AND DUNN SHARE LEAD AT LIONSGATE
Kobayashi sits atop Girls Division

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. - Rui Takamatsu of Rowland Heights, Calif., and Tyler Dunn of Godfrey, Ill., share the lead in the Boys Division at the AJGA Lockton Kansas City Junior following equal rounds of 4-under-par 68. Mayumi Kobayashi of Santa Monica, Calif., carded a 1-under-par 71 to grab the lead in the Girls Division.

Conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, the AJGA Lockton Kansas City Junior is being held at the par-72 Nicklaus Golf Club at LionsGate and features a field of 68 boys and 18 girls from 21 states.

Sixteen-year-old Takamatsu hit every fairway in regulation and carded one eagle, seven birdies and five bogeys en route to his round of 68.

"By hitting every fairway I put myself in good position all day," Takamatsu commented. "I was 5-under-par on the four par-5s and that really helped."

Takamatsu is searching for his first career AJGA victory this week.

"I need to continue hitting fairways and making birdies on the par-5s," Takamatsu remarked. "I've put myself in a good position thus far but I'm not satisfied yet. It's not a one-day tournament, so hopefully I can keep playing well."

Dunn, a University of Missouri signee, carded seven birdies and three bogeys.

"I played pretty well today," Dunn said. "I kept my focus and that really helped me a lot."

Dunn is looking to improve on his best AJGA finish, second at the 2002 AJGA Buick Junior Open.

"I really hope to continue playing well and finish high," Dunn added.

Fellow University of Missouri signee, John Kelly of St. Louis, currently sits in a tie for third with 15-year-old Paul Haley of Dallas and Pat Collogan of Ponca City, Okla., who carded matching rounds of 3-under-par 69.

In the Girls Division, Kobayashi carded four birdies and three bogies en route to her 1-under-par 71.

"I played pretty steadily on the front nine, but on the back nine I lost concentration following a bad drive on No. 12," Kobayashi said.

"I got my game and my confidence back in order on the next hole and finished strong."

Kobayashi, who looks to improve on her best AJGA finish, third at the 2001 Marsico Funds Colorado Junior Roundup, went on to card three pars and two birdies to close out her round.

Ashley Freeman of Belleville, Ill., currently sits in second place following a 1-over-par 73 Tuesday. Freeman's round of 73 included three birdies and four bogeys.

"I tried to be patient and wait for the putts to fall," Freeman remarked on Tuesday's round.

Freeman tied for seventh at the 2002 Marsh Kansas City Junior and looks to improve at this week's event.

"I want to keep playing steady golf, not see any big numbers, putt well and finish strong," Freeman added.

Qualifier medalist, Ellen Hoeper of Kansas City, Mo., currently sits in third place after carding a 3-over-par 75.

The second round of the Lockton Kansas City Junior begins Wednesday with tee times starting at 7 a.m. off the first tee.

For more information on the Lockton Kansas City Junior, please contact tournament headquarters at (913) 402-1000 or visit the American Junior Golf Association's Web site at ajga.org.

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