Helena, Mont.

The 44th Girls Junior Americas Cup at Green Meadow Country Club saw Southern California run away with the team competition after shooting a team score of 202 (-14) for the final round and totaling 620 (-28) a whopping 24 shots ahead of defending champion, Mexico. The Mexican team posted a final round 209 (-7) to finish four-under-par for the event with a total of 644.

Arizona shot even par 216 in round three and took home the third place medal at 646 (-2) for the tournament. Hawaii was even par 648 for the event after shooting 212 (-4) in the final round, good enough for fourth. Rounding out the top five was Washington at eight-over-par 656 after a final day tally of 221.

Each team score is based on the top three individual scores.

In the individual competition, day two leader Jasmine Koo saw her lead vanish as Kelli Ann Strand of Idaho was on the course early putting together a strong showing. It didn’t take long before Koo regained the lead with a late flourish eliminating any doubt. Koo finished with five consecutive 3’s on holes 14-18. That streak was six-under-par as she went birdie, par, eagle, birdie, eagle to complete her final round at 66 (-6) her best day of the event and capping a magnificent performance that saw Koo post three days in the 60s (69-67-66) for a 202 total and 14-under-par. Koo made six birdies and two eagles on Thursday.

Strand, last year’s runner-up and soon-to-be Nebraska golfer made things interesting early as she went out in 32 (-3) on the front nine and starting four-under-par in her first four holes. Strand was steady on the back nine with 35 (-2) to, but she didn’t have quite enough fire power in the end. Strand closed with 67 (-5) and 205 (66-72-67) and 11-under for the tournament.

Kylie Chong, last year’s champion put together a strong closing round with 67 (-5) and birdied the final four holes to end the day capturing third place at 207 (-9). Chong shot 68-72-67 over the three days to provide enough firepower with Koo to overwhelm the field in the team competition.

Raya Nakao of Hawaii tied for fourth after a stellar final round 66. Nakao made only one bogey with five birdies and an eagle giving her a 209 total (70-73-66). Gracie McGovern tied Nakao at 209 (67-72-70) with two days in red numbers.

Elise Lee of Southern California was sixth overall with 211 (-5) after shooting 71-71-69. Kyra Ly of Oregon was seventh overall at 213 (-3) she posted 72-69-72.

Mexico’s Larissa Carrillo posted the lowest round of the tournament with a 65. Carrillo went out in 35 with a bogey and birdie and then turned it on during her closing round with 30 (-7) with an eagle and five birdies to close out her tournament.

Complete leaderboard can be found online here.

Nick Dietzen

Executive Director (Montana State Golf Association)

IDAHO GOLF ASSOCIATION

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