JOHNSON, Ark. -- Six birdies in the final round helped Anthony Paolucci of Del Mar, Calif., capture the 33rd annual Rolex Tournament of Champions to finish as the only player in the field under par at 1-under-par 287. Kristen Park of Buena Park, Calif., birdied the final two holes to win the Girls Division by four strokes at Blessings Golf Club.
Conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, the Rolex Tournament of Champions was a 72-hole stroke play event held at Blessings Golf Club in Johnson, Ark. The 132-player field boasted junior golfers from 28 states, Colombia, Denmark, Japan, Mexico, South Africa, Thailand, and the Philippines. The Boys Division played the course at 7,119 yards while the Girls Division played at 6,133 yards.
Paolucci, winner of this year's Thunderbird International Junior, had an up-and-down day, but managed to stay in his comfort zone on a course where anything can happen. After four birdies and a double bogey on the front nine, he sat at 2-under-par, tied with Patrick Rodgers of Avon, Ind. Paolucci stayed cool, calm, and collected.
"At the turn Patrick and I were tied and he was playing solid, too," Paolucci said. "I was very good at keeping a good frame of mind when things started to get tight. For some reason I did a very good job of staying in the moment."
Paolucci tried not to think about winning throughout the round, but occasionally it snuck into his head.
"I tried not to think too much about winning the tournament, but the thought kept creeping back into my mind," he said. "When I birdied No. 14 and had that good putt on No. 15, going to 3-under with three holes to go, I started to sense that I could win it. At the same time, anything can happen on this golf course and I knew that going in."
Rodgers finished in second place, two shots behind Paolucci, with a four-day total of 1-over-par 289. In third place, David Lee of Houston, finished the tournament at 6-over-par 294. Shun Yat Hak of Lake Mary, Fla., and Drew Czuchry of Auburn, Ga., finished in a tie for fourth place at 7-over-par 295.
After leading at one point by six shots, Park bogeyed No. 16 while Emily Tubert of Burbank, Calif., made birdie to cut the lead to two shots. After a spectacular shot by Tubert on the par-3 No. 17 to within five feet, Park chipped in from the rough while Tubert missed her birdie attempt to extend the lead to three shots.
"I felt a little bit of pressure after my lead was cut to only two shots after No. 16," Park said. "I managed to stay focused and holed out from the rough on No. 17 to increase my lead back to three with one hole to play. The birdie on No. 18 was just icing on the cake for one of the biggest junior wins I have ever had."
On a very difficult course, Park felt well-prepared coming into the tournament.
"I have been preparing for this summer all year long," Park said. "I feel very accomplished winning this tournament with all the great players in the field."
Tubert, whose home course will be Blessings Golf Club for the next four years as a soon-to-be Arkansas Razorback, finished in second place four shots behind Park at 6-over-par 294. Marijosse Navarro of San Antonio, Texas, finished in third place with a tournament total of 8-over-par 296.
Rolex Watch USA, which is in its third decade of support, became the inaugural AJGA Premier Partner in 2004. Along with sponsoring the Rolex Tournament of Champions, Rolex is also the title partner of the Rolex Girls Junior Championship and the proprietors of the Rolex Junior All-America Teams.
The American Junior Golf Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the overall growth and development of young men and women who aspire to earn college golf scholarships through competitive junior golf. The AJGA provides valuable exposure for college golf scholarships, and has an annual junior membership (boys and girls ages 12-18) of approximately 5,000 junior golfers from 49 states and 30 countries. To ensure scholarship opportunities for all junior golfers who have the skill, the AJGA created the Achieving Competitive Excellence (ACE) Grant program to provide financial assistance to young players in need.
Titleist, the AJGA's National Sponsor, has been the catalyst and driving force behind the Association's success since 1989. Rolex Watch USA, which is in its third decade of AJGA support, became the inaugural AJGA Premier Partner in 2004. In 2007, after 12 years of support, Polo Ralph Lauren became the AJGA's second Premier Partner.
AJGA alumni have risen to the top of amateur, collegiate and professional golf. Former AJGA juniors have compiled more than 400 victories on the PGA and LPGA Tours. AJGA alumni include Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Stewart Cink, Cristie Kerr, Paula Creamer and Morgan Pressel.
For more information about the Rolex Tournament of Champions, please contact AJGA Headquarters at (770) 868-4200.
JOHNSON, Ark. -- Final results from the Rolex Tournament of Champions conducted by the American Junior Golf Association at Blessings Golf
Club. Par: Boys: 37-35—72; Girls: 37-35—72. Yardage: Boys: 7,119; Girls: 6,133. Rating/Slope: Boys: 75.0/144; Girls: 77.5/147.
BOYS DIVISION
1 Anthony Paolucci, Del Mar, Calif. (2011) 71-74-70-72—287
2 Patrick Rodgers, Avon, Ind. (2011) 71-74-69-75—289
3 David Lee, Houston, Texas (2012) 75-74-72-73—294
T4 Shun Yat Hak, Lake Mary, Fla. (2012) 70-72-80-73—295
T4 Drew Czuchry, Auburn, Ga. (2010) 70-70-76-79—295
6 Shugo Imahira, Bradenton, Fla. (2011) 74-75-74-73—296
T7 Tanner Kesterson, Plano, Texas (2011) 73-74-76-75—298
T7 Gavin Hall, Pittsford, N.Y. (2013) 75-73-73-77—298
T9 Tom Lovelady, Birmingham, Ala. (2011) 77-73-76-73—299
T9 Lucas Bjerregaard, Frederikshavn, Denmark (2011) 78-76-70-75—299
T9 Will Zalatoris, Plano, Texas (2014) 73-75-70-81—299
T12 Nicholas Reach, Moscow, Pa. (2011) 71-74-81-74—300
T12 Taylor Moore, Edmond, Okla. (2012) 75-74-75-76—300
T14 Daisuke Matsubara, Osaka, Japan (2013) 81-72-74-74—301
T14 Jay Hwang, San Diego, Calif. (2011) 77-74-75-75—301
T16 Kramer Hickok, Plano, Texas (2011) 81-74-76-71—302
T16 Shane Lebow, Santa Barbara, Calif. (2010) 70-70-83-79—302
T18 Michael Kim, Del Mar, Calif. (2011) 75-76-80-72—303
T18 David Mills, Evansville, Ind. (2010) 73-73-77-80—303
20 Sam Straka, Valdosta, Ga. (2011) 69-66-87-82—304
T21 AJ McInerney, Henderson, Nev. (2012) 73-79-77-77—306
T21 Blake Biddle, St. Charles, Ill. (2010) 76-79-72-79—306
T21 Sean Bosdosh, Clarksburg, Md. (2010) 79-75-73-79—306
T21 Preston Valder, Yorba Linda, Calif. (2011) 76-74-74-82—306
25 Emiliano Grillo, Resistencia, Argentina (2011) 80-72-81-74—307
T26 Sean Kelly, Staten Island, N.Y. (2011) 74-78-82-74—308
T26 Thomas Stewart, St Augustine, Fla. (2011) 76-73-81-78—308
T26 Zachary Olsen, Cordova, Tenn. (2013) 78-77-73-80—308
T26 Jason Roets, Eikenhof, South Africa (2011) 72-72-84-80—308
30 Billy Kennerly, Alpharetta, Ga. (2011) 79-76-84-72—311
T31 Cyril Suk, Bradenton, Fla. (2011) 75-80-78-79—312
T31 Jeffrey Lee, Overland Park, Kan. (2010) 75-79-79-79—312
33 Chad Merzbacher, Dublin, Ohio (2012) 82-73-80-78—313
34 Jeff Wibawa, Encino, Calif. (2010) 79-72-87-77—315
35 Drew Johnson, Oak Ridge, N.C. (2013) 74-76-80-86—316
36 Wesley McClain, Diboll, Texas (2010) 78-77-83-81—319
37 Kolton Crawford, Mansfield, Texas (2011) 80-75-88-78—321
38 Zachary Coats, Springdale, Ark. (2012) 80-73-80-91—324
39Jordan Janico, Duluth, Ga. (2010) 74-80-90-85—329
MISSED THE CUT
Hunter Stewart, Nicholasville, Ky. (2011) 76-80—156
Macgregor Hoobery, Santa Maria, Calif. (2011) 81-76—157
Bryce Chalkley, Richmond, Va. (2010) 76-81—157
Clancy Waugh, North Palm Beach, Fla. (2013) 80-77—157
Cody Proveaux, Leesville, S.C. (2012) 75-83—158
Rocky Khara, Sebring, Fla. (2010) 81-77—158
Zachery Munroe, Charlotte, N.C. (2011) 83-75—158
Jack Perry, Santa Barbara, Calif. (2010) 80-79—159
Payne Denman, Riverwatch, Tenn. (2010) 85-74—159
Kyle Lewis, Shawnee, Okla. (2010) 77-82—159
Nick Tremps, San Antonio, Texas (2011) 85-75—160
Blake Soni, Bradenton, Fla. (2010) 80-80—160
Alex Lloyd, Virginia Beach, Va. (2012) 79-81—160
Tyler Dunlap, Westlake, Texas (2011) 80-82—162
James Monnerville, Vero Beach, Fla. (2011) 87-75—162
Will Pearson, Memphis, Tenn. (2010) 88-74—162
Nick McLaughlin, New Castle, N.H. (2012) 83-80—163
Lorens Chan, Honolulu, Hawaii (2012) 76-88—164
Curtis Thompson, Coral Springs, Fla. (2011) 77-87—164
Zachary Herr, New Hope, Pa. (2013) 80-84—164
Sam Bernstein, Riverdale, N.Y. (2010) 84-81—165
Eli Juren, Austin, Texas (2011) 78-87—165
Blake Morris, Waterbury, Conn. (2011) 82-83—165
Sean Romero, Texarkana, Ark. (2011) 83-82—165
Theodore Lederhausen, Hinsdale, Ill. (2010) 81-85—166
Lee McCoy, Palm Harbor, Fla. (2012) 86-82—168
Ben Itterman, Carlsbad, Calif. (2010) 81-87—168
Matthew Mabrey, Little Rock, Ark. (2011) 88-80—168
Simon Miller, Albuquerque, N.M. (2011) 88-80—168
Daniel De La Garza, Monterrey, Mexico (2013) 87-85—172
Patrick Winther, Howey-In-The-Hills, Fla. (2010) 90-90—180
Brandon Pederson, Austin, Texas (2011) 90-94—184
Alejandro Villasana, Hacienda Las Misiones, Mexico (2013) JWD
GIRLS DIVISION
1 Kristen Park, Buena Park, Calif. (2011) 73-73-73-71—290
2 Emily Tubert, Burbank, Calif. (2010) 74-72-75-73—294
3 Marijosse Navarro, San Antonio, Texas (2014) 77-75-71-73—296
4 Moriya Jutanugarn, Bangkok, Thailand (2013) 75-80-67-75—297
5 Gabriella Then, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. (2013) 73-76-78-73—300
6 Victoria Tanco, Buenos Aires, Argentina (2012) 83-66-75-77—301
7 Rachel Morris, Carlsbad, Calif. (2010) 74-74-73-81—302
T8 Ariya Jutanugarn, Bangkok, Thailand (2014) 80-73-73-77—303
T8 Yueer Cindy Feng, Orlando, Fla. (2014) 73-80-74-76—303
10 Erynne Lee, Silverdale, Wash. (2011) 77-73-82-72—304
11 Emma Talley, Princeton, Ky. (2012) 77-75-75-80—307
12 Luz Alejandra Cangrejo, Bogota, Colombia (2010) 76-76-78-78—308
13 Sammi Stevens, Hereford, Texas (2010) 73-76-82-78—309
14 Ani Gulugian, Irvine, Calif. (2010) 78-78-80-74—310
15 Irina Paulin Gabasa, Cebu, Philippines (2011) 78-78-80-78—314
T16 Amira Alexander, Alpharetta, Ga. (2012) 79-75-82-80—316
T16 Michelle Piyapattra, Corona, Calif. (2010) 76-81-76-83—316
T18 Kaira Martin, Paradise Valley, Ariz. (2011) 73-81-79-84—317
T18 Mariana Sims, Austin, Texas (2012) 84-70-77-86—317
T20 Samantha Wagner, Clermont, Fla. (2015) 72-85-81-80—318
T20 Sierra Sims, Austin, Texas (2013) 74-81-83-80—318
22 Ally McDonald, Fulton, Miss. (2011) 84-73-83-81—321
23 Emily Collins, Colleyville, Texas (2010) 77-79-83-83—322
24 Anna Kim, Chandler, Ariz. (2012) 81-72-90-81—324
MISSED THE CUT
Chessey Thomas, Spokane, Wash. (2010) 78-80—158
Jordan Lippetz, Bradenton, Fla. (2013) 81-77—158
Karen Chung, Livingston, N.J. (2013) 80-78—158
Seo Hee Moon, Mukilteo, Wash. (2010) 79-79—158
Doris Chen, Bradenton, Fla. (2011) 78-80—158
Jessica Vasilic, Anaheim Hills, Calif. (2013) 82-76—158
Ri Hyang Park, Hilton Head Island, S.C. (2011) 84-75—159
Gabriela Lopez, Mexico City, Mexico (2012) 80-80—160
Anne Cheng, Torrance, Calif. (2013) 80-80—160
Briana Mao, Folsom, Calif. (2011) 81-80—161
Hana Lee, Hacienda Heights, Calif. (2011) 82-79—161
Beverly Vatananugulkit, Cerritos, Calif. (2011) 81-81—162
Portland Rosen, Sugar Land, Texas (2010) 77-85—162
Elizabeth Breed, Waynesboro, Pa. (2010) 78-84—162
Harin Lee, Bayside, N.Y. (2010) 80-83—163
Amy Ruengmateekhun, Garland, Texas (2010) 81-82—163
Hally Leadbetter, Bradenton, Fla. (2011) 84-79—163
Collins Bradshaw, Columbia, S.C. (2012) 84-80—164
Monica Umpant, Cerritos, Calif. (2011) 82-82—164
Lauren Kim, Los Altos, Calif. (2012) 82-82—164
April McCoy, Carrollton, Texas (2011) 85-80—165
Alison Lee, Valencia, Calif. (2013) 78-87—165
Annie Park, Levittown, N.Y. (2013) 79-87—166
Mayko Chwen Wang, Taipei, Taiwan (2011) 88-78—166
Lauren Coughlin, Chesapeake, Va. (2011) 86-82—168
A.J. Newell, Tampa, Fla. (2011) 92-76—168
Sun Gyoung Park, Vail, Ariz. (2010) 88-82—170
Maria Maymon, Huixquilucan, Mexico (2012) 84-87—171
Suzie Lee, East Northport, N.Y. (2010) 90-81—171
Morgan Ransom, Columbus, Ohio (2012) 90-82—172
Gianna Misenhelter, Overland Park, Kan. (2010) 86-87—173
Frida Castillo, Cordoba, Mexico (2011) 83-92—175
Alicia Malagon, Tampico, Mexico (2011) 90-88—178
Monica Petchakan, Encino, Calif. (2011) 95-89—184
Jacqueline Calamaro, Newtown Square, Pa. (2010) 99-97—196
Olivia Lavy, Fayetteville, Ark. (2012) 105-98—203
** JWD=Justified WD
