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WESTFIELD CENTER, Ohio -- After two quiet rounds of play, the girls' division took center stage Friday as 12-year-old Alexis Thompson of Coral Springs, Fla., and Kimberly Kim of Pahoa, Hawaii, are tied going into Saturday's final round of the 32nd Westfield Junior PGA Championship.
Thompson, who was the youngest to ever compete in the Championship two years ago, elevated her game Friday with a 6-under-par 65 in the third round to climb to forge a tie with Kim, the reigning U.S. Women's Amateur Champion, who came home with a 69.
Thompson, who began the day tied for ninth, played a steady front nine before exploding for four birdies on the back nine, including three in a row from 15 to 17, to put her in position to capture her first Junior PGA Championship.
"My ball-striking has been great all week, but the putts have not been falling," said Thompson, who was the youngest-ever entrant when she competed in the U.S. Women's Open just two weeks ago. "My putter was really rolling well today, unlike the first two days, and I am so happy about that."
Thompson says the experience at the Junior PGA Championship is much different then that of Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club in Southern Pines, N.C., site of the Women's Open.
"I am very comfortable here at this Championship," said Thompson, whose 66 is the lowest girls' round thus far. "At the U.S. Women's Open, I was more excited to sign autographs than play. This is a fun golf tournament and they treat you perfect. Everyone from around the country comes out to watch these girls play and it has been a great experience so far."
Cassandra Blaney of Davenport, Fla., climbed into sole possession of third place after a 68. Blaney landed in Saturday's final pairing after hitting a 6-iron approach on 18 to within seven feet of the hole, then draining the birdie putt. The ignition switch to her round, though, came when she eagled the 474-yard, par-5 10th hole.
"I hit a really good shot and it caught the wind. I had about 140 yards in, and hit a 9-iron downwind," said Blaney, a member of the 2006 U.S. Junior Ryder Cup Team and the 2005 and '06 Callaway Golf PGA Junior Series Player of the Year. "I had about an 8-footer left, and I kind of willed it in."
Blaney, who has recorded victories on the Callaway Golf PGA Junior Series this summer, with wins at Kearney Hills Golf Links in Lexington, Ky., and the University of Georgia in Athens, believes, that she has yet to have significant success in tournaments against a strong field.
"I have never really played very well in big tournaments," she said. "We have the best players here, and I'm kind of a nobody. So, I figured it was my time to show I can play."
In the boys' division, Chris DeForest of Cottekill, N.Y., continued to build his lead, firing a 67 for a 54-hole total of 13-under-par 200, breaking the 1993 standard of 202, previously held by Pat Perez. DeForest's consistent iron play and clutch putting leave him 18 holes away from capturing his first Westfield Junior PGA Championship in five attempts.
He has made only two bogeys in 54 holes en route to a six-stroke margin over his closest pursuer, Mark Johnson of Tulsa, Okla., who came in with a second straight 67 for a 206. Connor Driscoll of Encinitas, Calif., and Luke Guthrie of Quincy, Ill., share third at 210.
"I came into this Championship with a strategy of eliminating bogeys that my father and I came up with before the tournament," said DeForest, a 2004 Junior Ryder Cup team member. "I had some jitters on the front nine but was able to compose myself and hit some really good shots on the back nine."
The Westfield Junior PGA Championship, which has traditionally produced stellar golf performances for more than three decades, brings together the best junior golfers to compete for the Jack Nicklaus Trophy in the boys' division and the Patty Berg Trophy in the girls' division.
Since 1976, the Championship has been a stepping stone for competitors to either collegiate or Tour professional careers. The list of past Champions includes some of the most prominent current Tour professionals: Billy Andrade (1981), Billy Mayfair (1982), 2001 PGA Champion David Toms (1984), Sean O'Hair (1998), reigning U.S. Women's Open Champion Cristie Kerr (1995), Trevor Immelman (1996), Grace Park (1996), Aree Song (1999, 2000), In-Bee Park (2001, '02) and Angela Park (2004).
Since 2001, Westfield Group Country Club, owned by title sponsor Westfield Insurance, has been home to the Westfield Junior PGA Championship. The site features the most Tour-like experience in junior golf for players and attendees.
Golf Channel will present a highlight show from the Westfield Junior PGA Championship at a date to be determined.
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