Hare holds on at Purdue

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Griffin Hare posted rounds of 66-71—137 to win the Boys 16-19 division at Purdue University’s Ackerman Course by one shot over Luke Prall.

Hare played a bogey-free opening round with six birdies to take a 1-shot lead into the final round in which he birdied three of the final five holes to hold off Prall’s strong charge. After a bogey at the first, Hare settled in with 12 straight pars while Prall closed within a shot. At that point, Hare went to work with birdies at 14, 16 and 17 to take command.

Prall engineered a 2-shot swing on the final hole with his birdie, but it was not enough to catch Hare.

The victory was Hare’s fourth on the GJT and first in two events for the 2018-19 season.

Prall finished alone in second with rounds of 70-68—138 while Carson Stohler claimed third at 69-70—139.

Nic Hofman (73-68—141) and Ty Gingerich (70-71—141) rounded out the top five in finishing tied for fourth place.

Zhang rolls to 4-shot win in Girls 15-19

Julanna Zhang’s opening-round 72 staked her to a big lead that she held onto to win in the Girls 15-19 division at Purdue.

In that even-par first round, Zhang was able to overcome a double bogey at the second hole, responding with birdies at 3, 10 and 16. With that round she was able to build a 7-shot lead heading into Sunday’s final round in which she played the first nine holes in even par.

Zhang finished the event at 72-78—150 for her first win on the GJT.

Ellie Sonne shot 80-74—154 to finish second, one shot ahead of Sophia Alexander (81-74—155).

Grieve wins heated battle in Boys 14-15

Pierce Grieve played his final nine holes in bogey-free 2-under-par to emerge from a tight field with a 1-shot victory in the Boys 14-15 division at Purdue.

Grieve finished with rounds of 72-72—144 while a group of three players all with a chance at the end finished tied for second.

Grieve held a one shot lead over Evan McDermott entering the final round, but it was Stephan Bolan who made the biggest push the final day. Bolan, three shots back to start the day, posted a birdie at the opening hole then an eagle at the par-5 14th (his fifth hole played) to take the lead.

Grieve would re-emerge with birdies at his 10th and 15th holes to move back in front for good.

Michael Long made a strong push with birdies on three of his last five holes to shoot 74-71—145 and tie for second place with Bolan (75-70—145) and McDermott (73-72—145).

Andrew White made a strong case with birdies at his 10th and 11th holes but a bogey at his 15th kept him from catching Grieve and he finished alone in fifth place at 74-72—146.

Howard tops Logan in Boys 13-and-Under

Landen Howard closed with two birdies over a three-hole stretch late in the tournament to pull out a 5-shot victory over Gabe Logan in the Boys 13-and-under division at Purdue.

Howard and Logan entered the closing nine tied the lead before Logan stumbled with birdies at his 10th and 12th holes. After Logan pulled back within a shot, Howard engineered a 2-shot swing in his favor with a birdie at their 14th then put the tournament away with another birdie two holes later.

Howard finished the tournament at 75-74—149 while Logan shot 75-79—154.