Gu & Nip Battle Strong Winds at Rockledge
ROCKLEDGE, Fla. – After dealing with strong winds throughout the first and second round, we have been able to crown two deserving champions. Eddie Gu & Angela Chu Po Nip secure their first FJT victories of 2025.
Boys (16-18)
On Saturday, players had to deal with strong winds throughout their rounds. Even with these conditions, our first round leaders, Jacob Menard and Jonah Nacional, fired impressive scores of one-under par 70. Jacob Menard posted four birdies and Jonah Nacional made three as well. Sitting in a three-way tie for third is Eddie Gu, Nolan Hyatt, and Cooper Franklin who posted scores of even par 71, just one shot back of Menard and Nacional. Gu and Hyatt had strong rounds with five birdies. Franklin had a tournament high six birdies en route to his even-par 71. The tight leaderboard should lead to an entertaining finish in Sunday’s final round.
With winds gusting throughout the day, conditions remained tough for our final round on Sunday. Eddie Gu came back from one down to secure the victory. Gu’s strong round of 67 that included 4 birdies and an eagle on the par five 13th proved to be enough. Jonah Nacional finished in solo second with scores of 70-70—140. He finished two-under par with a final round that included four birdies. Finishing four back in third place was Cooper Franklin, who shot rounds of 71-71—142. His consistent and steady play lead to a third place finish.
Girls (16-18)
After the first round, there was a tight race in the Girls (16-18) division. Angela Chu Po Nip fired an impressive score of one-over par 72 in tough windy conditions. Nip was able to secure two birdies due to her impressive play. Emma McKoan’s round of 73 has her looking to make a move on Sunday just one back of Nip. McKoan was also able to keep her name atop the leaderboard with a solid round that included two birdies. Sitting three back in solo third, is Angela Yiting Wang, who shot an four-over par 75. Wang was able to secure one birdie throughout her round. The Girls (16-18) division should be in store for an interesting final round with a strong field of girls.
Following the first round, Angela Chu Po Nip sat on top of the leaderboard with a one shot lead. Nip needed a strong round on Sunday to claim her victory. She did just that, playing consistent golf to help her shoot a two over par 73. Nip would finish with rounds of 72-73—145 Angelina Pacheco finished in solo second firing an impressive round of 71 that included two birdies. Pacheco came roaring back after an opening round of 76. Emma McKoan and Angela Yiting Wang finished in a tie for third at six over par.
