LITTLE FLOCK -- Chloe Horton flashed a big smile and gave a thumbs up sign as she finished her round at the Lost Springs Golf and Athletic Club on Wednesday.
Horton had a reason to celebrate after carding her second-straight 1-under 71 during second-round action at the American Junior Golf Association KPMG Stacy Lewis Junior Open.
AJGA KPMG Stacy Lewis Junior Open
Lost Springs Golf and Athletic Club
Par 72-72 144
Girls
Chloe Horton^Miami, Fla.^71-71 142
Claire Cameron^Martinsville, Ind.^74-69 143
Kathleen Gallagher^Greenwood, Miss.^73-72 145
Maria Balcazar^Bradenton, Fla.^73-72^145
Taylor Black^Warrensburg, Mo.^72-74 146
Cynthia Diaz^Bucaramanga, Columbia^76-71 147
Maria Fassi^Pachuca Hidalgo, Mexico^73-74 147
Anna Kim^Broken Arrow, Okla.^72-76 148
Isabella Fierro^Cd de Carmen, Mexico^74-75 149
Taylor Loeb^Maumelle^75-74 149
Boys
Kyler Tate^Winter Garden, Fla.^68-67 135
Tyler See^Newport Beach, Calif.^70-71 141
Fisher Vollendorf^Fayetteville^73-68 141
Chase Furey^Newport Beach, Calif.^68-73 141
William Brueckner^Walnut Creek, Calf.^72-69 141
Isidro Benitez^Puebla Mexico, Mexico^72-72 144
Zachary Campbell^Benbrook, Texas^73-71 144
Jose Luis Lopez Butron^Mexico, Mexico^73-72 145
Sloan Turrentine^McKinney, Texas^71-74 145
Tom Vining^Sioux Falls, S.D.^75-70 145
Horton is at 2-under 142 and she will take a one stroke lead over Claire Cameron into today's final round.
In the boys division, Kyler Tate carded a 5-under 68, and the 17-year-old Winter Garden, Fla., resident is at 9-under 135 heading into the final round. Former Bentonville golfer Tyler See and Fayetteville's Fisher Vollendorf are among four golfers tied for second at 3-under 141. Vollendorf put together a 4-under 68 Wednesday while See, who recently moved to California, carded a 1-under
The final round will be uncharted territory for Horton.
Horton's 71 in the first round Tuesday was her best competitive score ever, and the 16-year-old matched that Wednesday after carding a round that included four birdies. Horton had just 29 putts during her round.
"It was another all-time low round because I shot the same thing (Tuesday)," Horton said. "I have never putted so well. The 29 putts was another all-time low. My approach shots, I have been sticking them really close. That helps me one-putt, two-putt during my round."
Horton shot an 81 during Monday's practice round and she said that 9-over showed her how to play Lost Springs.
"My drives were all over the place, and I ended up in the rough," Horton said. "I learned that you need to play conservative, play safe and stay out of the rough."
Horton started her round on the back side with a birdie on No. 10 but the rising senior hit into the water on the par 3 No. 11 hole and had to settle for double-bogey. She responded with six straight pars and a birdie on No. 18 pushed her back to even par at the turn.
"That hole was not fun, but I had a lot more golf to play," Horton said. "It wasn't the end of the world."
Horton said she was nervous before Wednesday's round, and she expects the same today when she tees off as the leader.
"I'm psyched and excited," Horton said.
Cameron fired a 3-under 69 and is a stroke behind Horton at 143. Cameron of Martinsville, Ind., had four birdies and a lone bogey.
Kathleen Gallagher, who recently committed to play golf at LSU, and Maria Balcazar of Bradenton, Fla., are both at 1-over 145. Gallagher of Greenwood, Miss., shot even par 72.
"The key was hitting fairways and greens," Gallagher said. "I missed a few easy putts, and that is frustrating. Hopefully, the putts will fall in the hole."
Rising Rogers High sophomore Brooke Matthews also made the girls' cut after a 2-over 74. Matthews carded a 77 in the first round and stands at 151.
Rising Shiloh Christian sophomore Kyle Robinson (74-79 153) also made the boys cut.
Today's final round will start at 7 a.m. with the leaders teeing off at about 8:30 a.m.
Sports on 06/26/2014