OCALA, Fla. – Nicholas Prieto and Caroline Patterson came out on top on Sunday at Country Club of Ocala, taking home the Florida Junior Tour victories. Both players earned wins at the exempt only event, with Prieto picking up his fourth FJT win and Patterson taking home her second.
Boys 13-18
Prieto captured his fourth FJT win in commanding fashion, finishing the weekend at 9-under 135 to secure the six-shot victory. The Miami native started the weekend with a 6-under 66 on Saturday to take the first-round lead. He finished the day with five birdies and an eagle.
Beginning the final round with a three-shot lead, Prieto continued his strong play with a bogey-free front nine with two birdies. He added two more birdies on the back side, including a birdie on the final hole of the day.
The 2023 graduate earned the victory with a final-round 69. He was the lone player in the field to card two under-par rounds for the weekend.
Two players finished the tournament in a tie for second at 3-under 141: Taehoon (Brian) Park and Camden Smith. Park used rounds of 74-67 to take home a share of second place, while Smith finished with rounds of 72-69.
Girls 13-18
Patterson picked up her second FJT victory with a 3-over 147 for the weekend. The Jupiter native posted a 4-over 76 in Saturday’s first round to sit three shots back of the leaders heading into the final round.
She got off to a quick start in the final round, birdieing the first hole of the round. Patterson made the turn at 2-under for the day, carding a bogey-free front side. She finished the day with a 1-over back nine to secure the win with a final-round 71, the only under-par round in the division.
Izzy Pellot used rounds of 75-73 to take home second place at 4-over 148. Katelyn Huber finished third at 5-over 149, with rounds of 73-76.
