NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. - Emile Lebrun and Angelica Pacheco were victorious on Sunday at New Smyrna Golf Course, taking home the Florida Junior Tour trophies. This is the second-career FJT win for Lebrun, while Pacheco earns her third FJT victory.
Boys (13-15)
In blustery conditions, Emile Lebrun was able to control his golf ball around the par-72 New Smyrna Golf Course in round one. An opening 1-under 71 was the only under-par round of the day as players battled winds of up to 25 miles per hour. Gabriel Hull and Bryson Hughes would be the closest competitors after 18 holes with a pair of 77’s to open up the tournament.
On Sunday, Lebrun would continue to widen the gap between him and the nearest competitors. With three birdies in his first seven holes to just one bogey, the lead would become eight shots over Hughes as the final group made their way to the turn.
A final round 66 from Lebrun sealed what would be a 12 shot victory. The win would be Lebrun’s second of 2022 and first Open win. Bryson Hughes finished in second with rounds of 77-72 while Sohan Patel’s 3-under 69 moved him into solo third place.
Girls (13-15)
Lisa Copeland had the best round on Saturday afternoon in the Girls (13-15) Division after a 5-over 77. Her round included a stretch of three birdies in four holes on her back nine. Arenui Faana and Alexa Oullet would sit two shots behind as the trio entered the final round on Sunday.
A double-bogey on Copeland’s second hole on Sunday allowed the competitors back into the tournament. As the groups made the turn, four players sat in a tie for the lead with just nine holes to play. Lisa Copeland, Arenui Faana, Angelina Pacheco, and Alexa Oullet all were looking to take home the trophy as the players made their way to the back nine.
On the back nine, Angelina Pacheco found three birdies in a 4 hole stretch to take control of the lead. A closing birdie on the par-5 9th would seal the deal, as Pacheco would capture her first victory in the Girls (13-15) Division at 7-over 151. Lisa Copeland’s even par back nine would leave her in solo second, one shot behind Pacheco. Alexa Oullet’s 79-78 would be enough for third place.
