Patrick Murphy fires course record to lead Canadian Junior Boys Championship
July 29, 2014
Katrina Owens (Golf Canada)
Niagara Falls, Ont. (Golf Canada) –Patrick Murphy of Crossfield, Alta. grabbed the opening round lead at the 2014 Canadian Junior Boys Championship at Legends on the Niagara after firing a 8-under 64 on Tuesday.
The 17-year-old’s bogey-free 64 was highlighted by eight birdies and broke the 7-under 65 Battlefield course record, previously set by Meg Mallon at the 2004 Canadian Women’s Open.
“At times the wind picked up and it was difficult to pull the right club, but I was striking it really well today,” Murphy said. “My plan for tomorrow is to keep playing aggressively. There are a lot of great players behind me so I want to keep firing at some pins, but at the same time I’m going to stick with the same game plan as today and hope I make as many putts.”
Following Murphy in second is fellow Albertan, 17-year-old A.J. Armstrong of St. Albert. Armstrong sits three strokes behind after a 5-under 67. A trio of players share third place including Chris Crisologo, 18, of Richmond, B.C., Austin James, 18, of Bath, Ont., and Tyler Saunders, 18, of Sturgeon County, Alta., who opened with 3-under 69’s.
In the Inter-Provincial Team competition that is conducted over the first 36 holes of the championship, Team Alberta’s squad consisting of Saunders, Andrew Harrison, and Jack Wood leads by five strokes at 4-under-par 140. Team Manitoba follows in second at 1-over-145.
In the Juvenile Division (16 and under), Henry Lee, 16, of Coquitlam, B.C. carded a 2-under-70 to lead by one-stroke over Team Canada Development Squad member Tony Gil, 16, of Vaughan, Ont. and Keaton Gudz, 15, of Victoria, B.C. The pair shares second place at 1-under-par.
Starting times, post-round results, full field list, and live scoring are available here.