PALATKA, Fla. – Four players captured Florida Junior Tour victories on Sunday at Palatka Golf Club. Jiakai Chen captured the win in the Boys 16-18 Division, while Ashley Huffman got the win in the Girls 16-18 Division. In the 13-15 Division, Jackson Runquist came out on top in the Boys Division and Sophia Hong secured the victory in the Girls Division.
This is the first FJT win for Chen, Huffman and Runquist, while Hong earned her second-straight FJT win.
Boys 16-18
Chen used a pair of 67s to take home the win in Palatka, ending the weekend at 6-under 134. In Saturday’s first round, Chen fired a 3-under 67, finishing the day with two birdies and an eagle on the par-5 10th hole to take a two-shot lead over the field.
The Lakewood Ranch native got off to a hot start in the final round, birdieing three of his first five holes and made the turn at 2 under. Chen added three more birdies on the back nine to post a final-round 67 and secure the six-shot victory.
Guoao (Leo) Xu put together rounds of 69-71 to take home a second-place finish with an even-par 140 for the weekend. Aaron Williams finished third at 1-over 141.
Girls 16-18
Huffman went wire-to-wire to take home her first FJT victory, finishing the weekend at 11-over 151. She began the tournament with a first-round 75 to take one-shot lead into the final round.
The Ponte Vedra Beach native started the final round with a 4-over front side. Huffman finished the day with a 4-over back nine to card a final-round 76 and secure the two-shot win.
Thanya Arasu took second place at 13-over 153, while Posie Farrelly finished one shot back of Arasu at 14-over 154.
Boys 13-15
Runquist picked up his first FJT win on Sunday with a 4-over 144 for the weekend. The Atlantic Beach native began the tournament with a 1-over 71 in on Saturday to take a share of the first-round lead.
Beginning the final round in a tie for first, Runquist carded three birdies on the front side to make the turn at 1-over. He finished the day with a 2-over back nine to post a final-round 73 and take home the two-shot victory.
Henry Robards finished second at 6-over 146 with rounds of 75-71, while Ronav Benak earned third place at 7-over 147.
Girls 13-15
Hong used a 9-over 149 to secure her second-straight FJT win at Palatka. She posted a 4-over 74 in the first round to sit two shots back of the leader heading into the final round.
The Windermere native started the final round with a 5-over front side. Hong had a strong finish to the day, carding a bogey-free back nine to record a final-round 75 and capture the three-shot win.
Yetong (Alicia) Qian picked up the second-place finish at 12-over 152, while Arenui Faana took third place at 13-over 153.
