Kennerly takes one-shot lead into final day at Thunderbird International Junior
Chung pulls ahead by three after second round
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Billy Kennerly of Alpharetta, Ga. shot a 4-under-par 68 in Sunday's second round for a tournament total of 5-under-par 139 at the Thunderbird International Junior. Karen Chung of Livingston, N.J., has taken a three-shot lead in the Girls Division by shooting a 2-under-par 70 for a two-day total of 6-under-par 138.
Conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, the 12th annual Thunderbird International Junior is a 54-hole stroke play event being played at Grayhawk Golf Club's Raptor Course. The 78-player field features 48 boys and 30 girls, ages 12-18, from 17 states and 16 countries. The Boys Division is playing the par-72 layout at 7,112 yards and the Girls Division is playing at 6,275 yards.
Kennerly, a 2010 honorable mention Rolex Junior All-American, made five birdies and one bogey on the day to take the lead and is in position to get his first AJGA win.
“It's good for tomorrow to give myself a chance to win, which is good, especially knowing I had the leaders behind me all day,” Kennerly said.
In a tie for second at 4-under-par are Jake Higginbottom of Charlestown, Australia, and 2010 honorable mention Rolex Junior All-American Jay Hwang of San Diego. In a two-way tie for fourth at 3-under-par are 13-year-old Brad Dalke of McKinney, Texas, and Yi Keun Chang of Walnut, Calif.
Chung's round got going for her when she stuck her tee shot on No. 8 to 15 feet, and made her birdie putt.
“It's nerve racking because I have never led an Invitational event before, but I just have to keep my head in it,” Chung said.
Behind Chung is Simin Feng of Orlando, Fla., with a two-day total of 3-under-par 141. In third place is Ashlan Ramsey of Milledgeville, Ga., who shot an even-par 72 Sunday for a tournament total of 142.
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.
As in the past, Callaway Golf will lend its support to the event. Other major sponsors are the Thunderbirds, the Phil and Amy Mickelson Charitable Fund, and Grayhawk Golf Club.
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.
Final-round tee times will run from 7:15 — 9:15 a.m. off the Nos. 1 and 10 tees at Grayhawk Golf Club's Raptor Course. For more information, please contact Tournament Headquarters at (480) 502-3181, or visit ajga.org.
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