HJGT Results

At the Fort Myers Fall Junior Open, hosted by the HJGT at Cape Royal Golf Club, the Girls 14–18 field delivered one of the weekend’s most composed performances—led wire-to-wire by Kate Freshwater of Naples, FL, who claimed the title at +11 with rounds of 82–73. Freshwater’s closing 73 was among the sharpest rounds posted across any girls division on Sunday, highlighted by confident approaches on the Prince course and a poised finish that kept her comfortably ahead of the pack. Jade MacFarland of Bradenton, FL made a strong push of her own, settling into rhythm during a steady 78 in the final round to finish at +15, good for runner-up. Her consistency from tee to green allowed her to chip away at the deficit early before Freshwater’s surge on the back nine kept the lead intact. Magdalene Ford (St. Petersburg, FL) rounded out the top three at +17 after posting back-to-back solid rounds of 83–78, showcasing the kind of balanced game that kept her in the hunt throughout the weekend. Close behind was Adyson Ice of Parker, CO at +19, whose combination of length and resilience helped her navigate the shifting coastal winds. The middle of the leaderboard saw a tightly packed group, with Jocelyn Wintersteen, Erin Erol, and Giuliana Dickson each finding stretches of strong scoring on a course layout that demanded creativity around the greens. Dickson’s massive leap on Sunday—from 101 to a polished 78—was one of the division’s most impressive turnarounds. With Florida sunshine, swirling breezes, and a field full of emerging talent, the Girls 14–18 division once again delivered the competitive drama and rising-star storylines that define every HJGT stop.

FRIPP ISLAND, S.C. — The Girls 14–18 division delivered a competitive weekend highlighted by the steady play of Diana Gao of Foshan, China, who captured the title at +18 behind rounds of 75 and 85. Gao set the tone early with her opening-round 75, a performance built on disciplined course management and confident iron play. Even as Sunday’s wind and shifting coastal conditions pushed scores higher, she maintained control of the division and closed out her win with poise. Just two shots back, Maya Lilja-Vazquez of Savannah, Georgia, surged into contention with a consistent weekend of 79–83 to finish at +20, applying pressure deep into the final round. The race for third ended in a tie at +23, with Nina Lang of Sussex, Wisconsin, firing one of Sunday’s best rounds—a sharp 76—to climb the leaderboard and match Caroline Parks of Olathe, Kansas, who carded a steady 86–79. Both showcased strong resilience on a demanding Ocean Creek layout. Rounding out the field were Ainsley Smith (+36), Lucy Kubiak (+72), and Bailey King (+105), each battling through challenging conditions while gaining valuable late-season competitive experience. Gao’s composed play, highlighted by her standout opening round, made her the clear anchor of the division as she secured the win at Fripp Island.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The Girls 14–18 division at the Phoenix Junior Open delivered a deep, competitive leaderboard, but it was Lauren Murnan of Omaha, Nebraska, who rose to the top with a composed and consistent weekend, finishing at +10 to secure the title. Murnan opened with a sharp 73, placing herself in early control, then closed with an 81 on Sunday to maintain her lead as the field tightened behind her. Her ability to avoid major mistakes on Orange Tree’s demanding greens proved decisive, especially as conditions grew tougher throughout the weekend. Just two shots back at +12 was Catherine Seder of Mesa, Arizona, whose 77 on Sunday was one of the cleaner rounds in the division. Seder applied pressure early in the final round and forced Murnan to stay sharp down the stretch. A competitive battle for third unfolded among Hayden Nguyen (Peoria, AZ) and Gabriella Sanchez (Albuquerque, NM), who tied at +13 after steady rounds of 80 and 79, respectively. Rounding out the top five was Eliza Meltzer of Paradise Valley, whose excellent 76 on Sunday—one of the best closing scores of the division—propelled her to a +16 finish. From top to bottom, the Girls 14–18 field showcased strong ball-striking and resilience across two demanding days in the desert. Murnan’s steadiness and timely shot-making earned her a well-deserved HJGT victory in one of the event’s most competitive brackets.

LILLINGTON, N.C. — The Girls 14–18 division saw a tight battle at Keith Hills, with Yue Qi “Rikki” Liu of Vancouver, British Columbia, emerging victorious at +21 after a composed +5 final round. Liu handled the Orange/Black rotation with maturity, maintaining control through the demanding closing stretch to secure the win by a single stroke. Her consistent ball-striking and ability to avoid big numbers proved crucial on a course that challenged players with narrow angles and slick greens. Finishing just one shot back was fellow Vancouver native Avva Nguyen, who posted +11 on Sunday to finish at +22. Despite a difficult back nine, Nguyen kept herself in contention throughout the final day, forcing Liu to stay sharp until the very end. Emma Mizer of New Albany, Ohio, withdrew early in the event. Liu’s victory showcased strong competitive instincts and marks an impressive showing in one of the HJGT’s premier College Prep events of the season.