FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. -- The final round of the 2008 Callaway Golf PGA Junior Series at Aspen Valley Golf Club ended in dramatic fashion. Miguel Macias of Santa Fe, N.M., and Ashley McKenney of Scottsdale, Ariz., both fired impressive final rounds to win the boys 16-18 division and girls’ 16-18 division respectively.
im Trailing the lead by one shot entering the final round, Macias used a 3-under par round of 69 to clavictory by one and also an exemption into the 2008 Junior PGA Championship in Cincinnati, Ohio, August 13-16.
“I came into today just trying to focus on one shot at a time,” said Macias. “I really tried to keep the blinders on all day and just focus on what I was doing.”
Highlighting his day was his approach shot on hole #7 from 120 yards, which finished within 10 feet of the hole. Macias converted his birdie and knew he had momentum.
“After that birdie, I knew I was in it,” said Macias, “I just kept telling myself to keep going.”
Chris Ortiz of Rio Rancho, N.M., was the early clubhouse leader after firing a 6-under par round of 66, fueled by nine birdies. In the end, Ortiz finished alone in second place with a three-day total of 1-over par 217.
McKenney began the final round tied for the lead and used a solid front nine to grab the lead alone.
“I had a strong front nine and that put me ahead,” said McKenney. “I knew where I was the whole day which is the beauty of playing in the final grouping.”
McKenney used four birdies to fire a final round of even-par 72 and a three-day total of 7-over par 223, earning her an exemption into the 2008 Junior PGA Championship as well.
“Anything can happen out here on this golf course,” said McKenney. “I haven’t won a tournament in a while so this feels great.”
In the boys’ 13-15 division, James Lee of Albuquerque, N.M., captured his second win of the summer after firing a closing round of 2-over par 74, for a three-day total of 6-over par 222. Lee was also the champion at the PGA Junior Series at New Mexico State University Golf Club. Cody Williams of Alamogordo, N.M., fired a final round of even-par 72 to finish alone in second place with a three-day total of 9-over par 225.
Lauren Nehf of Scottsdale, Ariz., earned the title in the girls 13-15 division with a final round of 6-over par 78, her low round of the week.
The Callaway Golf PGA Junior Series continues with its seventh stop, July 7-9 at The Ranch Golf Club in Southwick, Mass.
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