McDaniel keeps lead in the Boys Division at the Evitt Foundation RTC Junior All-Star
Mao leads by three strokes after the second round
RINGGOLD, Ga. — Tyler McDaniel of Manchester, Ky., carded a 2 -under-par 68 to lead the Boys Division after the second round of the Evitt Foundation RTC Junior All-Star in Ringgold, Ga. Janet Mao of Johns Creek, Ga., stays atop the leaderboard posting a 3-over-par 73 into the final round.
The Evitt Foundation RTC Junior All-Star is one of 10 events in the Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy Junior All-Star Series. Specifically designed for boys and girls ages 12-15, the Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy Junior All-Star Series presents opportunities for younger members to develop their skills and earn entry into AJGA Open tournaments. The Series concludes with the Montverde Academy Junior All-Star Invitational over Columbus Day weekend for winners and top finishers in Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy Junior All-Star Series events. The 95-player field features 72 boys and 23 girls from 16 states, Colombia, Mexico and Argentina. The Boys Division is playing the par-70 layout at 6,349 yards and the Girls Division is playing at 5,660 yards.
In the Boys Division, McDaniel continues to hold his place in the lead after the second round with a tournament total 5-under-par 135 with three birdies.
“On No. 14 I drained a pretty long put after a pretty mediocre approach shot,” McDaniel said. “I was hitting from the fairway most of the time. It got a little erratic at the end but I managed to pull it through.”
William Martinez of Austin, Texas, is in second place after 36 holes, 4-under-par 136. Tied for third are Corey Carlson of Green Cove Springs, Fla., and Zachary Hoskins of Orlando, Fla., at a two-day total of 137. In fifth place Zachary Healy of Norcross, Ga., carded a tournament total of 139.
After a first-round score of 71, Mao birdied No. 5 and continued to play consistently throughout the round. Leading into the final round, Mao has a tournament total of 4-over-par 144.
“Based on what I've done for the last two days, I know that I have a pretty good chance of shooting under par,” Mao said. “If I just keep it up and do what I should be doing then I hope for a good score.”
Tied for second place, Taylor Tomlinson of Gainesville, Fla., and Bailey Tardy of Norcross, Ga., posted tournament totals of 7-over-par 147, three strokes behind the lead.
GARY GILCHRIST GOLF ACADEMY, a full-time signature golf instruction program located in Howey-in-the-Hills, Fla., began as an Official Partner of the AJGA in 2009. The partnership features an endowment of an Achieving Competitive Excellence (ACE) Grant and naming rights to the Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy Junior All-Star Series for juniors ages 12-15.
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 provides valuable exposure for college golf scholarships, and has an annual junior membership (boys and girls ages 12-18) of approximately 5,000 junior golfers from 49 states and more than 40 countries. To ensure scholarship opportunities for all junior golfers who have the skill, the AJGA created the Achieving Competitive Excellence (ACE) Grant program to provide financial assistance to young players in need.
Titleist, the AJGA's National Sponsor, has been the catalyst and driving force behind the Association's success since 1989. Rolex, which is in its third decade of AJGA support, became the inaugural AJGA Premier Partner in 2004. In 2007, after 12 years of support, Polo Ralph Lauren became the AJGA's second Premier Partner.
AJGA alumni have risen to the top of amateur, collegiate and professional golf. Former AJGA juniors have compiled more than 500 victories on the PGA and LPGA Tours. AJGA alumni include Stewart Cink, Matt Kuchar, Hunter Mahan, Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods, Paula Creamer, Cristie Kerr, Inbee Park and Morgan Pressel.
The final round of the Evitt Foundation RTC Junior All-Star will tee off of WindStone Golf Club's No. 1 tee at 7:30 a.m. For more information on the Evitt Foundation RTC Junior All-Star, please contact AJGA National Headquarters at (770) 868-4200.
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