Ford & Phung Join Pam's Champions
Boynton Beach, Fla. - In the 8th edition of the FJT Pam McCloskey-Brosnihan, a talented group of players came to The Club at Quail Ridge to honor the memor of Pam McCloskey-Brosnihan. After impressive performances, Lawson Ford and Alexandra Phung would join an illustrious group of Pam's Champions.
Boys (13-18)
In a field full of FJT Champions, there was a newcomer looking to book his first FJT victory. From just down the road in Palm Beach Gardens, Jake Valentine got off to a great start with birdies on two of his first three holes. It was a smooth round for the Senior as he kept the momentum going and added four more birdies as he would go bogey-free and shoot 66 to lead the way through 18 holes. Right behind him would be five very accomplished players within two shots. Chase Bauer and Lawson Ford would each card 5-under 67 and with a lot of experience winning Florida Junior Tour events they would be looking to make up that ground Sunday. Darren Zhou, the 2023 Junior Player of the Year, Gabriel Holtz and Tommy Wang each found their way to 4-under 68 and would look to add another FJT trophy to their collection.
In Round 2, it would be Gabriel Holtz who would get off to a blazing start. The Clemson commit birdied his first three holes to take the lead and added one on the par-5 6th. Jake Valentine would keep pace though, as he'd turn in 3-under to take the lead going into the back nine. The player with the most momentum though would be Lawson Ford, as he holed out for an eagle on the par-4 9th. A steady Chase Bauer, would also find himself right in the mix as he got to 7-under for the weekend.
As the final group made their way to the back nine, it turned into a four player race. Valentine took control and would be the first to get to double digits under par after birdies at the 10th and 12th holes. However, a costly tee shot on the par-5 13th would go out of bounds to the left and with a triple-bogey he would fall behind Lawson Ford by one shot. With five holes to play, it would be Ford ahead by one shot to Chase Bauer.
Ford would play steady steady to finish off the round, cementing his place at the top with a birdie on the par-5 18th. His final round 5-under 67 would put him at 10-under on the weekend for a one shot victory and a place as part of Pam's Champions. Chase Bauer would continue his impressive season as he finished in solo second at 9-under for the weekend. Team Florida's Gabriel Holtz finishes in solo third with back-to-back 68's.
Girls (13-18)
Three girls on Saturday would find their way to red numbers, as the trio of Stella Moritz, Alexandra Phung and Avery Banfill would all break par in the opening round. Moritz and Phung would lead the way, as each shot 2-under 70. Moritz would have a steady day as she made three birdies and just one bogey. Meanwhile, Phung who is coming off a victory at the most recent Major, would make five birdies in the opening round to sit in a tie at the top. Avery Banfill's 1-under 71 would place her firmly in the final group for Sunday.
On Sunday, it became Phung's tournament to win right from the first tee shot. The Team Florida member would birdie two of her first three to take a commanding lead as Moritz and Banfill made a couple of bogeys to begin their round in the opening holes. Phung would go on to make three more birdies, including one on the final hole, to go with just one bogey. The two round total of 6-under would be enough for a five shot victory in the Girls Division.
The victory is back-to-back Major victories for Phung as she becomes a part of Pam's Champions. Xiyao Zhang, with an impressive 2-under 70 in the final round, would move five spots up the leaderboard into solo second. Lilly Riegger would match Zhao's 2-under 70 and leapfrog seven spots into a tie for third with Stella Moritz at 1-over for the weekend.
