Smith defends his title at E-Z-GO Vaughn Taylor Championship presented by TaylorMade-Adidas Golf
Kim claims second AJGA win by five strokes
AUGUSTA, Ga. — In the final round of the E-Z-GO Vaughn Taylor Championship presented by TaylorMade-adidas Golf Connor Smith of Shoal Creek, Ala., claimed his fourth AJGA title with a 14-under-par 202. In the Girls Division, Dylan Kim of Winter Garden, Fla., secured the victory with a final-round 1-over-par 73 and tournament total of 2-over-par 218.
Conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, the E-Z-GO Vaughn Taylor Championship presented by TaylorMade-adidas Golf was a 54-hole stroke play competition played on the par-72 course at Jones Creek Golf Club. The event featured 63 boys and 21 girls, ages 12-18, from 12 states, three countries. The Boys Division played the course at 6,799 yards, while the Girls Division played the course at 6,046 yards.
Leading from start to finish at Jones Creek Golf Club, Smith repeats his 2012 title. This week has been like a walk down memory lane for Smith. It was just last year when Smith won his first AJGA title and met the college coach he intends to play for.
Smith led the field by 10 strokes heading into the final round and wanted to finish strong.
“I had one goal in mind for this round and it was to beat Bobby Wyatt’s tournament record of 205,” Smith said. “My dad gave me a few words of advice this morning, ‘Don’t try to protect your lead, just go out there and do what you have to do.’”
Marcus Byrd of Dunwoody, Ga., carded a 2-under-par 214 to finish second. Tied for third were Jack Comstock of Jacksonville, Fla., and Tyler Bakich of Valrico, Fla., at 1-under-par 215. Kevin Slayden of Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., came in fifth with a tournament total of 2-over-par 218.
Kim started the day with a four-stroke lead. She credited her five-stroke victory to her consistent short game and mental perseverance throughout the round.
“Today went really well, I hit several close shots onto the green and I didn’t miss any short, crucial putts,” Kim said. “For me to play as well as I did this week, I knew I had to stay away from playing too conservatively. I had to play aggressively.”
Finishing second was Sarah Harrison of Martinez, Ga., with a tournament total of 7-over-par 223. Michaela Owen of Suwanee, Ga., came in third with a tournament total of 10-over-par 226.
For more information, please contact AJGA National Headquarters at (770) 868-4200.
Read more from The E-Z-GO Vaughn Taylor Championship presented by TaylorMade-adidas Golf
