COLLIER CLAIMS THREE-SHOT VICTORY AT WALNUT CREEK COUNTRY CLUB’S PECAN COURSE

Spieth rolls to convincing win in the Boys Division of the Junior All-Star at Walnut Creek

MANSFIELD, Texas – Hannah Collier of Birmingham, Ala., posted a final-round 73 for a tournament total of 145 to earn a three-stroke win at the inaugural Junior All-Star at Walnut Creek Sunday. In the Boys Division, Jordan Spieth of Dallas carded a 71 for a 1-under-par 139 en route to a substantial five-shot victory.

Conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, the Junior All-Star at Walnut Creek was a 36-hole stroke play event held at Walnut Creek Country Club’s Pecan Course. The 84-player field featured players from 26 states and three countries, Canada, Mexico and South Korea. The Girls Division played the Pecan Course at 5,647 yards, while the Boys Division played it at 6,385 yards.

In the Girls Division, Collier pulled away early and Doris Chen of Bradenton, Fla., came from behind to seize second place following a final-round 73 and a tournament total of 148. Grace Na of Oakland, Calif., took the third spot with a 150.

Collier, who won her first-ever AJGA event, drained four birdies on the day and opened up a three-stroke edge following the front nine.

 “I was really nervous all day, but I was able to build the lead early,” said Collier. “So, I’m just relieved to be done; I was just hoping to play well and, with the conditions, I’m really excited to win.”

In the Boys Division, Spieth owned a two-shot cushion after the opening nine and gradually increased his advantage down the stretch.

“The windy conditions were tough, especially as it picked up on the back nine,” said Spieth, a winner in his first-ever AJGA event. “We were tied through three holes, but I got a big two-stroke momentum swing on No. 4 with a birdie. I didn’t think 71 would be good enough going into the day, so I’m excited to win.”

Spieth capped off his victory with an even-par 35 on the back nine. Bryce Chalkley of Chester, Va., Justin Thomas of Goshen, Ky., and Payne Denman of Riverwatch, Tenn., finished in a tie for second place with tournament totals of 144. Blake Biddle of St. Charles, Ill., and Ian McConnell of Riverview, Fla., totaled 145 to finish knotted in the fifth spot.

            The American Junior Golf Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the overall growth and development of young men and women who aspire to earn college golf scholarships through competitive junior golf. The AJGA, the largest Association of its kind, has an annual junior membership (boys and girls ages 12-18) of approximately 5,000 junior golfers from 49 states and 25 foreign countries.

AJGA alumni have risen to the top of amateur, collegiate and professional golf. More than 160 former AJGA juniors currently play on the PGA and LPGA Tours and have compiled more than 300 wins. AJGA alumni include Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Jim Furyk, Stewart Cink, Davis Love III, Cristie Kerr, Pat Hurst, Paula Creamer, Brittany Lincicome, Morgan Pressel and Julieta Granada.

For more information on the Junior All-Star at Walnut Creek, please contact AJGA headquarters at (770) 868-4200 or visit the AJGA Web site at ajga.org.