In the Boys 14-18 division, Andrew Buchanan of Los Altos Hills and Kit Carson of Galt are tied for first place after shooting identical scores of 71-73-144. Buchanan was back and forth throughout the day with an impressive 10 birdies but also made 10 bogeys. Carson was more consistent, carding 8 birdies with 5 bogeys and one double bogey.

Paul Smith of Turlock stands close in third, one stroke back.

Madchen Ly of Clovis leads the Girls championship after posting a 2-over-par 74. The incoming freshman at Fresno State was named The Fresno Bee’s “Player of the Year” in 2010. Ly finished third in last year’s event.

Nancy Xu of Sunnyvale carded a 4-over-par 76 to stand in second place. Marissa Hinchman of Lodi and Lauren Salazar of Santa Clara are tied for third, three strokes back from the lead.

In the Boys 12-13 division, Eddy Lai of San Jose had two birdies to card an even-par 72 and take a commanding lead heading into the final round. Lai won first place for the boy’s age 11 group at 2010 US Kids Golf World Championship. Three players sit in second place, nine strokes back.

The NCGA Junior Championship began in 1930 and boasts several champions who later became PGA Tour players. Notable winners include Ken Venturi in 1949, Bobby Clampett in 1976 and Joel Kriebel in 1993.

The only male player to win back-to-back championships is 1998 and 1999 winner Tom Johnson, while Jamille Rose took home back-to-back honors in the girl’s division in 1988 and 1989.

The championship concludes tomorrow at Spyglass Hill.

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