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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, July 13, 2007

Kim has one-shot lead in Westfield Junior

Advertiser Staff and News Services

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Kimberly Kim

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Former Big Island resident Kimberly Kim shot a 1-over-par 72 yesterday to take a one-stroke lead after the second round of the Westfield Junior PGA Championship at Westfield Country Club's South Course in Ohio.

Kim's lead could have been bigger. She was 1-under after 17 holes, but finished with a double-bogey on the par-4 18th hole.

Kim, who lives in Arizona, was at 3-over 145. Twenty-two players were within six strokes of the lead.

"I had played a solid round through 17, but I did not stay focused on the final hole of the day," Kim, 15, said. "They made some of the holes longer, which made it tough, but it is in good shape and well-maintained."

Lisa McCloskey (70) of Montgomery, Texas, and Sarah Brown (72) of Stewartsville, N.J., were one shot back. Kristina Merkle, a Moanalua High junior, shot an 80 and is tied for 38th at 157.

In the boys division, Chris DeForest of Coteskill, N.Y., continued to dominate, shooting 68—133 to lead by six strokes over four golfers tied for second.

Former Hawai'i high school champion Chan Kim (74), who now lives in Arizona, was tied for 21st at 146, Makawao's Robert Greenleaf (76) was tied for 27th at 147 and Kailua's David Fink (78) was tied for 52nd at 153.

The tournament concludes tomorrow. Kaneko, Kim, Kono named to Canon Cup

Hawai'i junior golfers Ayaka Kaneko, Kimberly Kim and Stephanie Kono yesterday earned spots on the West team in the 18th annual Canon Cup at the Honors Course, July 30 to Aug. 2 in Ooltewah, Tenn.

They are among 40 United States junior golfers — 20 boys and 20 girls — selected for the event, which pits East vs. West in a mixed-team match play format.

Each team consists of 10 boys and 10 girls with the rosters based on the Polo Golf Rankings.

Kim is ranked No. 3 in the girls' rankings. She'll be competing in her second consecutive Canon Cup.

Kono, a 17-year-old Punahou student from Honolulu, is ranked No. 4 and also was on last year's Canon Cup team.

Kaneko, also 17 of Honolulu, is ranked No. 11. She is a Sacred Hearts student.

Tadd Fujikawa, who turned pro yesterday, also was a member of last year's Canon Cup West team, which defeated the East, 31-19.

Previous Canon Cup participants include Tiger Woods, Stewart Cink, Hunter Mahan, Charles Howell III, Paula Creamer, Morgan Pressel, Cristie Kerr and Grace Park.

TEXAS OPEN

Nicole Sakamoto, a Kalani senior, shot a 6-over-par 78 yesterday in the third round to finish sixth at the American Junior Golfers Association's Valero Texas Open Junior Shootout at San Antonio Country Club.

Sakamoto finished at 233. Mary Michael Maggio of Conway, Ark., shot a 71 for a 10-shot win at 215.

In the boys field, Waiakea junior Henry Park shot a 2-over 74 and finished tied for 13th at 221.

Robert Mayo of Austin, Texas, shot 76—212 to earn a two-stroke victory.

FUTURE LEGENDS

Punahou graduate Jonathan Khil shot a 7-over-par 78 yesterday and was tied for 23rd after the second round of the AJGA's Future Legends in Wales, Wis.

Khil is at 156, nine strokes behind leader Matthew Schovee of Cherry Hills Village, Colo., who shot a 71.

In the girls division, Mid-Pacific junior Hayley Young shot a 12-over 83 and is tied for eighth at 164.

Mitsuki Katahira, of Wheaton, Ill., shot a 75 for a three-stroke lead at 150.

The final round is today.

WISE OPEN

Maryknoll junior Alexander Chu shot a 2-over-par 74 yesterday and was tied for 34th after the second round of the AJGA's Randy Wise Junior Open at Grand Blanc, Mich.

Chu is at 153, 13 strokes behind leader Zeyu He of Bradenton, Fla., who shot a 73.

In the girls division, Kamehameha alum Alyssa Fukuoka shot a 9-over-par 81 and was in 18th place at 163.

Danielle Frasier of Encinitas, Calif., shot a 70 and led with a 144.

The final round is today.

Information from www.pga.com and www.ajga.org were used in this report.