Giovanna Fernandez of Asuncion, Paraguay, won the Girls Division title in a one-hole playoff over Jacksonville native, Kaitlyn Schroeder. Fernandez had an up and down final-round, but ultimately held on in one-hole playoff, marking a par for hole No. 10. This is Fernandez's first AJGA win in her first AJGA open start. Fernandez, a University of Arkansas commit, previously competed in the 2018 and 2019 editions of the Thunderbird International Junior.
Fernandez started off the Billy Horschel Junior Championship presented by Zurich strong earning the Qualifier Medalist honors last Thursday. The years #BillyHoJr qualifier marked the first time the AJGA has hosted a stableford format qualifier, it also was Fernandez's first time competing in an AJGA Qualifier. She earned the Medalist Honors with a score of 4 points.
"It was the first qualifier of my life. I made the tournament, and winning in the playoff is more emotional."
Kaitlyn Schroeder of Jacksonville, Florida, finished her first appearance in the Billy Horschel Junior Championship in solo second. The 2023 graduate took second in a one-hole playoff to champion Giovanna Fernandez. Schroeder wrapped up an impressive 2020 regular season this week, which included two wins that moved her to No. 13 in the Rolex AJGA Rankings.
Miguel Leal of Guatemala, Guatemala, went wire-to-wire to win his first AJGA title with 36 stableford points. The 2021 graduate scored a record high 19 points during the first round and won in only his third-ever AJGA start. Leal bested the tournament high score by two points. He now holds the new tournament stableford record.
His best previous finish was at the AJGA Junior at Kingwood two weeks ago. Leal came to America for a five tournament AJGA swing. His next stops include the Rome Junior Classic and Visit Tallahassee Junior Championship.
"It's amazing. I never thought I could do it. It was great golf, and everything was perfect."
Eoin Buckelew of Ocala, Florida, finished solo second with 21 points on the tournament. The 2021 graduate made only his second career AJGA start this week.