Bourdage, Moriyama close Optimist week with victories
Jillian Bourdage (AJGA photo)
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. (Aug. 1, 2018) – The highlight of Jillian Bourdage’s week at the Optimist International – golf-wise, at least – was a bogey-free 3-under 69 in the second round at PGA National’s Palmer Course. Bourdage followed with rounds of 3-over 75 in the second half of the tournament, but it didn’t matter that there were a few bogeys to close – she finished the event three shots ahead of the next-closest player.
Bourdage attends American Heritage Academy in Broward County, Fla., and earlier this year joined a distinguished few golfers from the school who have won an individual and team title at the Class 2A high school state golf championship in the same year. That short list also includes former Duke standout Lindy Duncan and Kyle Roig.
Bourdage was the only player to break 70 in the girls 15-18 division. There were only two other rounds under par.
Giovanna Fernandez Lopez fired one of three even-par rounds in the final round to make up three shots on Bourdage and rise to solo second on the leaderboard. Fernandez Lopez co-led the field in birdies. She and Jinnapat Rittawee had 12 apiece and four of Fernandez Lopez’s came in the final round.
Viviana Prett Reyes was solo third thanks in large part to the strength of a second- and third-round even-par 72. She was 11 over for the tournament. Two players – Antonia Matte and Jayne-Moya Harris – were tied for fourth at 13 over.
In the boys 16-18 division, Yuki Moriyama took the top spot at 8-under 280. Moriyama closed with a final-round 69 on PGA National’s Fazio course that included three birdies and no bogeys. In fact, Moriyama only had four bogeys on the week.
There were a few more red numbers on the boys leaderboard. Moriyama, for one, was under par for each of four rounds. Shiv Kaura, tied for second at 5 under, was in the red for the first three rounds. Agustin Segundo Oliva Pinto, also at 5 under, opened with rounds of 65-69 but fell off the pace with 76-73.
ABOUT THE
Optimist International Junior
72-hole stroke play tournament. Boys 16-18
and Girls 15-18. To be eligible, golfers may
not
be enrolled in college. Each year, more than
600
golfers participate in The Optimist. Junior
golfers from the United States and Canada
must
qualify via one of 50+ Optimist District
qualifiers. International golfers qualify
through
their national federation or the at large
application process.
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