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Polo Ralph Lauren #InspiredPerformances

Polo Ralph Lauren #InspiredPerformances: February 25, 2021

Check out the latest #InspiredPerformances from AJGA members and alumni.
Areen Aggarwal Texas Junior Golf Tour Champion for Polo IP Final.jpg

Areen Aggarwal of Columbia, Missouri, stormed back in the final round of the TJGT Tour Championship to take the title by three strokes. Aggarwal opened the two-day tournament with a 1-under-par 71, which left him two strokes back of the lead and last year's champion Garrett Endicott of San Antonio, Texas. The high school sophomore knew he had his work cut out for him, especially given the weather forecast that featured blustery winds throughout the final round. Despite these obstacles, Aggarwal kept himself in shouting distance after carding two birdies on the front nine to make the turn at 1-over-par 37. A bogey on the par-5 No. 10 dropped him down the leaderboard, but he wouldn't remain there for long. Aggarwal went on a tear starting at the par-3 No. 13, firing four birdies between Nos. 13-17. He stepped up to the 18th tee tied for the lead with Endicott, and ultimately secured the win with a par on No. 18 after Endicott posted a triple bogey. Aggarwal finished the tournament at 3-under-par 141. Aggarwal's best AJGA finish was 11th at the 2018 AJGA Junior All-Star at Cooks Creek.

Mackenzie McRee Action - 2018 - KPMG Stacy Lewis Junior All-Star Invitational.JPG

Mackenzie McRee of Tuscon, Arizona, won the JGAA's Phoenix Metro Junior Championship. McRee shared the lead after carding an even-par 72 in the first round. That round featured four birdies, with a total of two made on each nine. The high school junior separated herself from the pack early in the final round, firing back-to-back birdies to start the day. After posting a bogey on the par-4 No. 4, McRee rebounded immediately with a birdie on the par-5 No. 5. She never looked back from there, playing steady golf with 13-straight birdies to finish the round. Her final round of 2-under-par 70 proved to be the difference as she won by two strokes at 2-under-par 142. McRee has appeared in two AJGA tournaments since 2018, including the 2018 KPMG Stacy Lewis Junior All-Star Invitational.

Matt Monheim - 2019 - Under Armour Alison Lee Championship (1).JPG

Matt Monheim of Stevenson Ranch, California, came from behind to win the 34th Oxnard City Junior Championship. Monheim got off to a great start in the first round with two birdies over his first five holes, but a triple bogey on the par-4 No. 6 set him back. Despite the triple bogey, Monheim kept his composure and finished the front nine with three pars to make the turn at 1-over-par 36. He continued his steady play into the back nine where he posted an even-par 37 for a round of 1-over-par 73. That left him two strokes off the lead. Monheim again came out of the gates strong in the final round, carding back-to-back birdies to start the day. This time however, he got revenge on No. 6 by making a birdie this go around. After making the turn at 3-under-par 32, Monheim fired back-to-back birdies on Nos. 10 and 11 before adding another on the par-5 No. 15 to take the lead by one. Unfortunately for Monheim, despite a valiant final round of 5-under-par 67, a bogey on the final hole of the tournament dropped him into a playoff at 4-under-par 140. He quickly shook off that bogey however, and earned the win in a sudden-death playoff. Monheim finished T12 at the 2018 AJGA Preview at River Ridge (Ages 12-15).

Aidan McCleneghan - 2020 - adidas Golf Junior All-Star.JPG

Aidan McCleneghan of Simi Valley, California, also triumphed in a playoff at the 34th Oxnard City Junior Championship. McCleneghan posted a 5-over-par 77 in the first round to take the lead by two strokes. The high school freshman struggled out of the gate in the final round however, making the turn at 5-over-par 40. Despite this start, McCleneghan fought back with pars over her final eight holes to secure her spot in the playoff at 11-over-par 155. McCleneghan rode that momentum into the sudden-death playoff, ultimately taking home the title. She finished fifth at the 2020 adidas Golf Junior All-Star.