PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - A strong field took to the Santa Lucia River Club to compete in the exempt only Florida Junior Tour event, and on Sunday two worthy champions were crowned. Layla Pedrique, of West Palm Beach, won the Girls’ division, while Hans Risvaer, of Miami, won the Boys' division. Both winners survived a playoff to capture the wins on Sunday.
Boys (13-18)
Risvaer, who picked up his first FJT win and posted rounds of 73-75—148 for the tournament, found himself in a tie for first place when he returned his card on Sunday afternoon. Risvaer started the tournament with a 1-over 73 on Saturday, trailing by five strokes to Nashawn Tyson, who shot a 4-under 68 in the first round. Risvaer’s 3-over 75 on Sunday put him in a tie for the lead with Connor Newbold, of Wesley Chapel, and Adam Vermut, of Jacksonville. The Miami native survived a five-hole playoff to claim his first FJT victory.
Newbold carded rounds of 72-76 to find himself in the playoff on Sunday, while Vermut posted back-to-back 74’s. The duo finished the in second place after Risvaer made a solid par putt on the 17th, the fifth playoff hole.
Girls (13-18)
Pedrique began her tournament with a 3-under 69, and the over-night lead by one shot over Bridget Ma, heading into the final round. Pedrique got off to a great start with three of her four birdies in the first nine holes. The West Palm Beach native capped off an already great round with a hole-out eagle on 18th from 127 yards. Bridget Ma, of Orlando held her own throughout the round with five birdies on the day.
Ryleigh Knaub, of Debary, came out strong in the final round with five birdies, carding a 3-under 69 to take a share of the lead with Pedrique. Knaub carded rounds of 75-69—144 for the tournament, while Pedrique posted rounds of 69-75—144. Pedrique’s tee shot found the fairway on the first playoff hole, while Knaub was in the bunker. Pedrique put her approach to within 6 feet and two-putt for par to seal the deal and bring home her second FJT win in the 2022 season and her fourth overall. Ma finished in third place with rounds of 70-75—145 for the tournament.
