Sillaway and Wachter Conquer Florida's Diverse Weather
PORT ORANGE, Fla. - The Florida Junior Tour visited Cypress Head Golf Club for the first time in regards to ages 13-15. 67 players teed off under pristine conditions, all with hopes of emerging victorious by Sunday. In the end, it was Riley Sillaway and Lily Wachter who rose above the rest.
Boys (13-15)
In Round 1, it was Riley Sillaway that separated himself from the field to take the lead with a score of 3-under 69. Sillaway, a 2027 graduate from Longwood Fl, completed his front nine with a solid birdie on 18 to make the turn at 1-under. Sillaway would then continue his strong round carding 3 birdies and 1 bogey on his back nine to finish with the low score of 3-under and lead the field by 2. Conner Danahy, Michael Shane Frasure, and Ethan Nejman shared second place at 1-under 71 heading into Sunday’s final round. Danahy, a 2028 graduate from Orlando, closed with back-to-back birdies on 17 and 18 to finish at 1-under. Frasure, a 2029 graduate from Clermont, matched that finish with birdies on his final two holes. Ethan Nejman, a 2029 graduate from Lake Nona, rebounded from an up-and-down front nine with an even-par back nine to join the tie at 1-under 71.
Sunday’s final round began with steady light showers as Riley Sillaway, Michael Shane Frasure, and Ethan Nejman looked to earn their first ever FJT victories. Round 1 leader Riley Sillaway wasted no time as he birdied his first hole of the day leading to a 1-under front nine. Following Sillaway closely was Michael Shane Frasure as he matched Riley’s 1-under par heading into their final 9 holes. Ahead of the final group, was Andy Dai, a 2027 graduate out of Bradenton, Fl. Dai started his final round strong as he birdied his first and seventh hole, following it with an impressive eagle on number 8. However, bogeys on 9, 10, and 16 would solidify Dai’s spot for third place finishing at 2-under 70 for the day. Through 14 holes, the sun was shining as Frasure would take the lead at 3-under par following back-to-back bogeys for Sillaway on holes 11 and 12. The two players would find themselves tied at 5-under through 17 holes, both going for their first ever FJT victory. After 3 playoff holes, Riley Sillaway would seal the deal making an impressive 40-foot eagle putt to claim his first ever FJT victory.
Girls (13-15)
On Saturday, two players had separated themselves from the field to share the lead heading into the final round. Boonyanuch Smitasin, a 2028 graduate from Orlando, and Lily Wachter, a 2030 graduate from Saint Augustine, both recorded impressive rounds of 3-under 69. Wachter started her day strong as she carded 3 birdies on her front nine making the turn at 3 under. She would then go on to record 2 bogeys and 2 birdies on the back to turn in 3-under 69. Boonyanuch would follow her front nine 1-over with 4 birdies on the back to tie Lily for the lead heading into Sunday’s final round.
Sunday’s final round was full of excitement as second place finisher Lilly Parker would begin her round with 6 birdies on the front nine to place her in first place heading into the final nine holes! Parker, a 2029 graduate from North Palm Beach, would turn in an impressive round of 3-under 69. Never losing sight was Lily Wachter as she would fall to 6th place heading into her final nine holes. Right ahead of her was 2030 graduate Qiaoyi Lyu, from Celebration, Fl. Lyu would go on to birdie and bogey 3 holes in her round cementing her into solo third place. Champion Lily Wachter would go on to birdie 2 holes on her back nine, finishing her round at 3-over par and an even total for the tournament, leading to her first FJT victory of 2025.
