Three Win Dramatically at Palm Harbor
PALM COAST, Fla. – This week’s FJT Palm Harbor (13-18) *Non-Exempt* was full of records, drama & playoffs. In the end, it was Ryan Woodward, Ryker Huther & Taryn Nguyen who brought home victories. Read more to find out how it all happened!
Boys (16-18)
Round one for the boys was clearly a memorable one, especially for the leader Ryan Woodward. Coming off of a hip surgery in November, Woodward is playing in his first tournament since FHSAA State Championships. Off to a hot start, he birdied two of his first three holes and from there, it was off to the races. Turning in 32, Woodward’s round continued to get better as he played 12-14 four-under par with an eagle on 12. A birdie on 17 left him with a simple par on the last to tie the Boys (16-18) lowest single round FJT score in history.
With a five shot lead heading into round two, Woodward began to move backwards towards the field. By the 17th hole, he was now tied with Juan Jose Saavedra heading into the 18th hole. A lengthy birdie putt secured the victory for Ryan Woodward, while Saavedra & Evan Raynor finished in a tie for second.
Boys (13-15)
The younger division on Saturday saw Connor Danahy jump out to a four shot lead after day one. Danahy’s 72 consisted of three birdies and three bogeys. Coming off of his lowest finish this season at Stoneybrook West, Danahy has kept his momentum going into Palm Harbor.
However, in the final round similarly to the older division, Danahy began to move backwards while Ryker Huther was shooting up the leaderboard. Playing together, they both hit their approaches on the last onto the green with Huther hitting it slightly closer. Danahy two-putted for par, while Huther drained his birdie putt to send it to a playoff that lasted three holes. On the par 5 12th, Huther hit his third to about two feet and sealed the deal to grab his first FJT victory.
Girls (13-18)
Lastly in the girls’ division, Taryn Nguyen grabbed the overnight lead in a tight battle at the top of the leaderboard with eight players within 2 shots of the lead. Nguyen was able to keep it steady throughout round two, making pars on her whole front nine, with plenty of movement going on behind her on the leaderboard.
The back nine brought some trouble. Standing on the 8th hole, Nguyen was in a tie for the lead with Vanessa Perry when a costly bogey sent her one shot behind. A clutch par save on the last and a bogey by Perry sent the two into a one-hole playoff. Continuing to hit the right shot at the right time, Taryn Nguyen hit her third from the greenside bunker to about 4 feet and made the par putt to win her second Florida Junior Tour event!
