Choe Leads After Four-Under First Round in the NYS Girls’ Junior
APALACHIN, NY – The first round of the 61st NYS 18U Girls’ Junior Amateur Championship was delayed for over an hour due to heavy morning fog at the Links at Hiawatha Landing. The low clouds burned off to reveal a beautiful sunny day and scorable conditions for the field.
Nina Choe of Pelham Country Club turned in an opening round 68 (-4), which proved to be the lowest total of the day in the Girls’ Junior bracket.
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The 4th-place finisher at last year’s tournament went bogey-free to take a three stroke lead heading into the final 36 holes.
“This course is tough, especially off the tee with all the water,” said Choe in a post-round interview. “My irons were really good today, which gave me plenty of birdie opportunities and allowed me to keep things consistent.”
The authentic links-style layout measured out at 6,151 yards for the Girls’ Junior field and played to a Par 72.
Four junior girls, including Renna Chang of Colonial Springs, Francesca Choquette of MGA eClub - NYC, 2022 Girls' Junior Champion and 2023 Runner-Up Sophia Li of MGA eClub - NYC and Isabella Salerno of Westchester Country Club followed Choe into the clubhouse at one over 71.
Defending champion Jordan Levitt of MGA eClub - NYC overcame a slow start to finish the day T3 at even par, along with Alexandra Phung of MET PGA Junior Golf Club and Aliya Liberatore of Yahnundasis Golf Club. They will each begin their second rounds four behind the leader, Choe.
21 players (low 20 and ties) finished within the cut-line of five over par. Play will resume with the first of two rounds beginning tomorrow at 7:30 am.
