DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Lucas Gimenez, Carson Perry and Angelina Pacheco became Florida Junior Tour champions on Sunday at LPGA International. Gimenez won with a 1-under 143 in the Boys (11-12) division, Perry’s 1-over 145 was enough in the Boys (9-10) division, and Angelina Pacheco was victorious with an even-par 144 in the Girls (11-12) division.
Boys (11-12)
Steady rounds of 1-under 71 by Lucas Gimenez and Chase Bauer were enough to find them atop the Boys (11-12) division by one shot over a multitude of opponents within striking distance. Both players used their three birdies to combat only two bogeys on day one to navigate through LPGA’s Jones course.
In the final round, Tyler Lilienfeld surged his way to the top of the leaderboard at the turn thanks to six birdies in his first eight holes on his way to an opening-nine 31. Chase Bauer would continue his steady play on the opening nine, posting even par at the turn to hold a share of the lead with Lilienfeld with nine holes to play.
Mid-way through the back nine, Shayaan Kim continued his climb up the leaderboard. With five birdies through 14 holes, he would find himself tied with Gimenez and Lilienfeld with four holes to play.
However, the overnight co-leader Lucas Gimenez would not be outdone. A clutch birdie on 15 would see him take a lead that he would not relinquish. Gimenez’s rounds of 71-70 would be enough to be crowned the champion. Kim and Lilienfeld would finish in a tie for second with rounds of 74-68 and 76-66, respectively.
Boys (9-10)
In the Boys (9-10) division, Carson Perry had an opening round of 2-over 74 to lead by six shots after the first round. Steady play on the back nine would be the key to Perry’s success as his sole bogey would be matched by one birdie on the par-4 12th.
Carson would get off to a shaky start by bogeying the first hole in the final round, but would get it right back by making birdies at both the second and fourth holes. The Port Orange native would card one more birdie and bogey each on his final nine, which would be more than enough to take home the Boys (9-10) division. Perry’s rounds of 74-71 would give him a 16-shot victory over Cyrus Joseph who carded 81-80 on the weekend. Carlos Andres Dugarte Hurt finished third with 80-84.
Girls (11-12)
Sofia Rivera's three birdies were enough to find her one shot ahead of Angelina Pacheco in the Girls (11-12) division after the pair shot 75 and 76, respectively. Asked about her round, Sofia said the key was her “driver was in play all round” which allowed her the opportunity to make 3 birdies while keeping the big numbers off the scorecard.
On Sunday, Angelina Pacheco would make her move. A bogey-free 33 on the front nine would allow the Orlando native to surpass Rivera and boast a three-shot lead heading into the final nine. Krishny Elwin would also find herself in the hunt after a 2-under 34 on the opening-nine holes.
Pacheco kept the momentum going with birdies on the 10th and 12th holes. She would take a lead that she would not relinquish. Pacheco’s 76-68 was enough for a four-shot victory in the Girls (11-12) division. Sofia Rivera’s 75-73 would find her in second place, while Elwin would finish in third with rounds of 78-71.
