Eustaquio, 16, of Lake Worth, and Hitchcock, 18, from Clermont, lead the field of 60 by two strokes. Michael Sedacca, 16, of Orlando is tied for third with Mike McMillan,17, from Ponte Vedra Beach, after each shooting 2-under par 70. Sedacca was recently named the Florida Junior Tour Player-of-the-Year in the 13-15 age division. Eric Cole, of Orlando, and Jack Watters, from Tampa posted an even par 72 to be tied for fifth place. Last year’s Champion, Joong Jo, of Winter Springs, is currently tied for 49th place after shooting an 82. The Boys 16-18 age division is playing from 6948 yards out.
Wesley Graham, of Port Orange, is the sole leader in the Boys 13-15 age division. Graham, 14, leads the 30 players by three strokes after shooting a 68 from 6594 yards. Zach Lee, 15, of Ponte Vedra Beach, recorded a 1-under par 71 to go into the final round in second as Julian Suri, 13, of St. Augustine, is in third shooting an even par 72. Competitors first must have qualified at one of the eight sites across the state in 18 holes of stroke play. The Championship field features 90 of the top male amateur golfers in the state playing 36 holes of stroke play in the two-day Championship. The field is divided into two age divisions; 13-15 junior division and 16-18 regular division and the juniors must not have a handicap index higher than 17.4.
The Champion of the regular division receives three exemptions into AJGA events. The top five from the regular division receive two exemptions each into AJGA events and the top ten finishers will receive one exemption toward an AJGA open tournament. Additionally, the top 14 finishes in the 16-18 division will be invited to compete in the Florida State Junior Match Play Invitational. The top eight finishes in the 13-15 division will also be invited to compete in the Junior Match Play Invitational.
