By DAN MIROCHA
Assistant EditorAUGUSTA, Mo. – Calm under pressure, Cory Whitsett (pictured, right) recovered quickly from an early deficit in the final of the U.S Junior Amateur and leads, 5 up, over Anthony Paolucci after 18 holes at Boone Valley Golf Club.
The 14-year-old Paolucci, who knocked off Bud Cauley and Peter Uihlein –
Golfweek’s two top-ranked juniors – on his way to the finals, jumped out to an early 2-up advantage with birdies on Nos. 4 and 6. But his lead quickly evaporated as the 15-year-old Whitsett made a 2-footer for birdie at No. 7 to win the hole, then watched as Paolucci missed a 3-foot par putt at No. 8 that squared the match.
Whitsett gained his first lead at No. 9 when he rolled in a 7-footer for birdie to go 1 up. He parred the next two holes to build a 3-up lead, as Paolucci made a double bogey at 10 and bogey at 11.
Whitsett’s lead went to 4 up after Paolucci took three shots to find the green at the par-3 16th. Paolucci then three-putted on No. 18 from 40 feet giving Whitsett a 5-up advantage heading into this afternoon’s second 18 holes.
“I knew if I just played well and hit fairways and greens I’d have a lead of some kind,” said Whitsett, who lost in the first round of the Junior last year. “It’s now a little larger than I expected it to be.”
The largest winning margin in a U.S. Junior final came in 1970, when Gary Koch defeated Mike Nelms, 8 and 6.
The afternoon 18 will begin at 1:30 p.m. (CST).
• • •
Dan Mirocha is a
Golfweek assistant editor. To reach him e-mail
dmirocha@golfweek.com.
Posted: 7/28/2007
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