Players battled through cold and blustery conditions at LPGA International's Champions Course over the weekend. Winds blew consistently at 15-20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. Play was delayed 30 minutes on Sunday morning due to a frost delay.
Luis Gagne of Orlando jumped out to a three shot lead after a first round 69, even with a double bogey on the 17th hole. Zong Fan Li of Bradenton and Michael Mattiace of Jacksonville were in a tie for 2nd after carding a pair of 72's. Gagne struggled to find his form in the tough 2nd round conditions but still held the lead after a front nine 38. Li made birdies on holes 10 and 16 for a back to shoot 73 while Gagne finished with 78, leaving him two shots behind Li. This is Li's first FJT victory.
On the Girls' side of things, Emma Albrecht used some local knowledge to win on a course she was very familiar with. LPGA International, used to be her home course, after all. Emma shot an opening round 76 which left her two shots clear of Morgan Baxendale of Windermere and three ahead of Kendall Griffin, Nicolette Donovan and Ella Woods. Albrecht, ran away with the tournament shooting a final round 73 highlighted by birdies on holes 14, 3, and 9. It is Albrecht's fourth top five finish in 2013 which includes a runner up finish at Southwood (16-18) the previous week. Griffin and Donovan finished in a two way tie for 2nd, 7 shots back.
