Hong & Leach take home FJT Victories at River Hills Country Club
VALRICO, Fla. – Aaron Leach and Sophia Hong were victorious on Sunday at River Hills Country Club, picking up the Florida Junior Tour wins on Sunday at Palm Harbor Golf Club. This is the sixth FJT victory for Leach, while Hong earned her first FJT win.
Boys 13-15
Leach used the only under-par round in his division to secure the win, finishing the weekend at 1-under 143. He fired a 3-under 69 in Saturday’s first round, carding an eagle on the par-5 sixth hole, to take a three-shot lead over the field.
The Windermere native began the final round with a 1-over front nine. After making the turn, he birdied back-to-back hole, carding a 1-over back nine. Leach secured the one-shot victory with a 2-over 74 in the final round.
James Hassell took the runner-up finish, putting together round of 75-69 to finish the tournament at even-par 144. Hassell and Leach’s 69 was the low round of the weekend. Alex Long finish two shots back of Hassell in third place at 2-over 146.
Girls 13-15
Hong earned her first-career FJT victory with a 6-over 150 for the weekend. She took the first-round lead on Saturday with a 2-over 74, finishing the day with a two-shot lead over the field.
In Sunday’s final round, Hong started the day with a 4-over front side. He rounded with two birdies on the back nine and secured the win with a final-round 76.
Braydn Smith finished runner-up at 8-over 152, while Elan Zhang and Amelie Phung tied for third at 9-over 153. Tiffany Colin, who finished the weekend in a tie for 19th, aced the par-3 fourth hole during Saturday’s first round.
