Cox Retains Lead at AJGA Philadelphia Open Championship
Lin and Lippetz tied for top position at Huntingdon Valley Country Club

HUNTINGDON VALLEY, Pa. — Cody Cox of Milford, Pa., leads the Boys Division after the second round, tallying a tournament total score of 2-over-par 142. In the Girls Division, Christine Lin of Austin, Texas, and Jordan Lippetz of Bradenton, Fla., share the lead heading into the final round after carding tournament totals of 7-over-par 147.

The AJGA Philadelphia Open Championship is a 54-hole stroke play event conducted by the American Junior Golf Association at Huntingdon Valley Country Club—Toomey & Flynn Courses in Huntingdon Valley, Pa. The tournament field boasts 56 boys and 21 girls, ages 12-18, from 15 states, Dubai and Canada. The Boys Division is playing the par-70 course at 6,836 yards and the Girls Division is playing at 6,019 yards.

Cox was disappointed in his front nine, but bounced back with consistent play on the back.

“I had another solid day,” Cox said. “I hit a lot of greens and gave myself a lot of opportunities. On the back nine, I had two birdies to get back to two over. It was late in the round, but it was what I needed.”

He is confident about his standing heading into the final round.

“I know that no lead is safe until the last day is over, but it's a good position to be in,” Cox said. “It's what I wanted to do. I wanted to go into the last day in a position to finish well.”

In second place with a tournament total of 3-over-par 143 after the second round was Austin Powell of Jupiter, Fla. Rounding out the top five were Matt Oshrine of Baltimore, Md., Theo Humphrey of Greenwich, Conn., and Stephen Piela of Wallington, N.J., all tied for third with scores of 6-over-par 146.

In the Girls Division, Lin was pleased with her second-round play, and her ability to keep her head in the game.

“I had a bogey to start, but I fought right back with a birdie on my second hole,” Lin said. “I had a steady round, and I made some good putts for par.”

She is prepared for the final round, and hopes to finish strong.

“I'm really excited for tomorrow. I just want to be patient, have good course management and play smart. I am going to have fun and stay calm.”

Despite some inclement weather late in the day, Lippetz was happy with her round.

“I think I played well, considering the rain on the last few holes,” Lippetz said. “My putting really helped me today, and my approach shots set me up for some good birdie chances.”

After two solid days, she is excited going into the final round.

“This is my last AJGA tournament of the summer, and I'm looking to finish well and keep the consistent game that I've had for the past few days.”

Rounding out the top three for the Girls Division were Anna Kim of Chandler, Ariz., Kacie Komoto of Honolulu, and Bethany Wu of Diamond Bar, Calif., tied for third with scores of 9-over-par 149 for the tournament.

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 AJGA Philadelphia Open Championship will start at 7 a.m. off the Nos. 1 and 10 tees for the Boys and Girls Divisions. For more information about the AJGA Philadelphia Open Championship, please contact the Tournament Director, A.J. Donaldson at (678) 386-1487.