Three was the number at the AJGA Huntsville Junior presented by the Huntsville Athletic Club. Emma Talley of Princeton, Ky., broke three AJGA records and Tolver Dozier of Dothan, Ala., won in just his third AJGA event in a three-hole playoff with a three (birdie).
Dozier birdied Nos. 16, 17 and 18, chipping in to force a playoff with Tyler Thomas of Beaumont, Texas. He relied on his hybrid wood during the three-hole finale to secure his first AJGA victory.
“It was a wild tournament, one I’ll never forget. I was 4-over on the front nine and then went 5-under on the back. My chip-in on No. 18 was surreal. I wish this ending could have been on TV. I got lucky with hitting my hybrids that close.”
Talley shattered a course record at The Ledges. Her 6-under-par 65 bested her Tuesday performance of 5-under-par 66. Talley broke an AJGA record that has stood since the 1999 season. Virada Nirapathpongporn and In-Bee Park both shot 200 in 1999 PING Myrtle Beach Junior and 2003 PING Junior at the Peninsula Club, respectively. Talley also won by 22 strokes, the largest margin of victory since Maria Piccio in 2008 Medicus Preseason Junior at Callaway Gardens, who won by 18.
“I’m excited to have played so well this week to break [Nirapathpongporn’s] record. I had to play the qualifier in order to get into this event, and I just played really well out there. I haven’t played that great coming into this, so now I have confidence.”
Congratulations to Tolver, Emma and the rest of the winners.
Submitted by Jessica Souto, AJGA
Comments