AJGA MORGAN RUN JUNIOR
Morgan Run Resort and Club
Rancho Santa Fe, California
June 17-20, 2002

MCGURK REMAINS IN CONTROL AT MORGAN RUN
Cho, Scholl remain deadlocked atop Girls Division standings

RANCHO SANTA FE, Calif. -- Daniel McGurk of The Woodlands, Texas, fired a 3-under-par 68 to push his Boys Division lead to three strokes heading into the final round of the AJGA Morgan Run Junior. In the Girls Division, Irene Cho of La Habra, Calif., and Sommer Scholl of Riverside, Calif., shot matching 1-over-par 72s to remain tied for the lead at 140.

The 54-hole event, conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, is being held at the par-71 Morgan Run Resort and Club. The 84-player field features players from 11 states, including 65 California natives and five Polo Golf Junior All-Americans.

McGurk started strong with a string of birdies on Nos. 4, 5 and 6. The 17-year-old was hitting his irons well early, knocking a pitching wedge to within 12 feet of the hole on No. 4 for his first birdie and using another solid wedge shot on No. 5 to set himself up for another birdie.

"I probably hit my best shot of the tournament on No. 5, landing a pitching wedge 15 feet past the hole and spinning it back to within a foot," McGurk said. "I think once I went low yesterday, I became more patient."

After another birdie on No. 6, McGurk rattled off eight straight pars before making his first bogey of the day on No. 15. McGurk responded with a birdie on the next hole and ended his round by draining an uphill 12-footer for birdie on No. 18 to finish with a 68 to sit at 8-under-par 134 for the tournament.

"Tomorrow, I'm just going to try and not make any bogeys," McGurk said. "I've got the family here and great weather, I'm just in a relaxed state right now."

Polo Golf Junior All-American Kevin Larsen of Santa Barbara, Calif., lurks three shots back at 137 after posting the low round of the day with a 4-under-par 67. Larsen carded three birdies on each side and played the par-5s at three under on the day to jump back into contention.

"It doesn't matter to me if I'm leading or a couple shots back as long as I have a chance to win if I play well in the final round," said Larsen, who won the AJGA Arizona Junior Classic in March. "I hit the ball really well today. I just need to make a few more putts."

Zack Miller of San Rafael, Calif., also sits at 137 after shooting 3-under-par 68. Miller, also an All-American, made the turn at 2-over-par 37, but birdied four of his last five holes en route to a 5-under-par 31 on the back nine. Brandon Christianson of Valencia, Calif., and Michael Young, Jr., of Jacksonville, Fla., round out the top five at 138.

Cho got off to a quick start with a chip-in eagle on No. 1, and added birdies on Nos. 9 and 13 to finish the day with a 72.

"The course played a lot tougher today," said Cho, who shot 68 in the first round. "I was forced to play a lot of knock-down shots and was left with a lot of long putts. I hope to play a lot better tomorrow."

Scholl converted birdies on Nos. 1, 7, 13, 14 and 17 to help her shoot 72 and hang onto a share of the lead.

San Diego, Calif., native Hannah Jun is three shots off the pace in third place at 143 after shooting an even-par 71, the low round of the day in the Girls Division.

Final-round tee times begin at 7 a.m., Thursday, June 20, off the No. 1 and 10 tees at the Morgan Run Resort and Club. For more information on the AJGA Morgan Run Junior, please call tournament headquarters at (858) 756-2471, ext. 7202, or visit the Association's Web site at ajga.org.

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