TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Consistent winds and a shy sun plagued players on Sunday at Capital City Country Club's hilly layout, but two champions were crowned. Miles Russell bested the field by two strokes while Sofia Cherif Essakali outlasted Lisa Copeland in a two-hole playoff.
Boys (13-15)
Powered by three birdies in his first three holes and six in his final nine, Antoine Jasmin started the Saturday barrage of red numbers with a 4-under, 68. Jasmin was later joined at 4 under by Russell. All-in-all, seven players finished at even par or better on Saturday.
Sunday told a different story as winds increased and temperatures dropped. Scoring proved to be a little tougher for the field as Lorenzo Rodriguez was the lone under-par round of the day. His round of 71 also made Rodriguez the only player to play both rounds under par and earned him a second-place finish. Russell momentarily lost the lead to Rodriguez but his three birdies in the final five holes earned him a two-stroke victory, his second of 2022.
Finishing at 1 under for the tournament, Trey Marrion came in third place.
Girls (13-15)
Sofia Cherif Essakali, the youngest player in the field, started the impressive play in the first group of girls on Satuday, with a 68 of her own. Her five birdies were a field best. Close behind her, however, was Lisa Copeland after her opening 70.
Starting Sunday two strokes behind, Copeland's two birdie/seven par front nine was much needed and gave her a one-stroke lead. Cherif Essakali and Copeland would go back and forth as the lead changed another two times and eventually would need extra holes to separate themselves. Cherif Essakali drained a 15 footer on the first playoff hole and stuck it close for a birdie on the second hole to win her first Florida Junior Tour 13-15 tournament.
Finshing in third place after rounds of 74 and 77 was Madison Moman.
