Michael Dominates All Weekend
Jack Michael took an early lead on Saturday at Royal American Links and never looked back. Jack shot a 69 on Saturday, the lowest round of the day by six shots. That round included an eagle on the 8th hole. He then back that up with a 68, the low round of the tournament, on Sunday. Jack's 7-under-par 137 kept him nine strokes clear of the next closest competitor. It is the first win of the season for Jack and second of his GJT career. Chris Pollak came in second place after scores of 76-70, for a 146 total. Hudson Burkey finished one back of that at 147 after shooting 76-71.
The Boys 16-19 division did not see much separation at the top of leaderboard on Saturday. 16 players were within two shots of the lead after one day. Dean Upholzer emerged from the scrum with a 69 on Sunday and the win. Dean birdied the final hole for a one stroke win, his second of the season and first of 2023. He led the field in birdies and needed every one of them in a tightly contested weekend. Dean finished at 145 after scores of 76-69. Tanner Conklin finished one stroke back after shooting 74-72. Kyle Smith (78-69), Luke Kahle (75-72), and Colton Lusk (75-72) all tied for third place.
Elizabeth Ryu used the help of six birdies over the two day event to earn his first win on the Golfweek Junior Tour in the older age division. Elizabeth's 70 on Saturday tied for the lowest round of her career. While it was her sixth win overall on the GJT, it was her first since May of 2021. Elizabeth's 70-74 ended up at even-par 144 and one stroke clear of the next competitor. Meadow Tian shot 75-70 for a 145 total and finished in second place. Skylar Dean (74-73) finished at 147 and took home solo third.
Clint Lewis put on a show on Sunday at Royal American Links. Clint managed four birdies and an eagle at the par four, 14th hole en route to a 68 and a one shot win. The win was the first of his Golfweek Junior Tour career in only his second start. Clint started Sunday's round three strokes back of the leader, but went out in 33 to get all three shots back. From there, a birdie on the 7th hole, his 16th hole of the day, sealed the deal. Clint's 77-68 was good for a 145 total. Nico Ward finished one shot behind that at 146 (74-72). Mitchell Corbin shot a pair of 76s for a 152 total and third place.
Jodie Han was spectacular on the final day at Royal American Links. Despite shooting 76 on Saturday, Jodie started the final round five strokes behind the leader. She went out in 35, which made up three shots, but still left her two back. Not to worry, Jodie birdied her 10th and 18th holes of the day with no blemishes coming in. The final tally was a 69 and a five stroke victory. Jodie shot 145 (76-69) over the two days. Eva Lim finished the weekend in second place after shooting 79-71 for a 150 total. Alyssa Zhang came in third with a 159 (79-80) total.
Other pictures from this weekend:
