Three Coloradans posted rounds of par or better on Wednesday — including Jacyln Murray of Grand Junction, who shot a 4-under-par 68 — to help their team jump into seventh place after round 2 of the Girls Junior America’s Cup at Reflection Bay Golf Club in Henderson, Nev., just outside Las Vegas.
With the top three scores counting toward the team total, the Colorado squad carded a 4-under-par 212 total on Wednesday, leaving it in position for its best finish since 2013.
With a 5-over 437 total, Colorado trails leader Southern California by 28 shots, but is just four strokes behind third-place Hawaii going into Thursday’s final round of the 17-team event which features squads from the western U.S., Canada and Mexico.
Colorado placed third at the GJAC in 2013 for one of its best showings ever. The state’s representatives won the event in 1993.
Murray (pictured), competing in her third Girls Junior America’s Cup, made three birdies and one bogey on Wednesday before capping her day with an eagle on the par-5 18th. She shot a 4-under-par 32 on the back nine.
Meanwhile, Charlotte Hillary of Englewood and Lauren Lehigh of Loveland each recorded an even-par 72 on Wednesday. Hillary, the 2016 Junior Golf Alliance of Colorado Tour Championship winner, carded three birdies, one bogey and a double bogey in round 2. Lehigh, the reigning 4A state high school champion, chalked up five birdies and five bogeys.
Rounding out the Colorado contingent on Wednesday was the 2-over-par 74 by Hailey Schalk of Erie. Schalk — winner of the 3A state high school title, the AJGA Hale Irwin Colorado Junior by Transamerica and the Colorado Junior PGA — made a birdie, a bogey and a double bogey in round 2.
At 1-over 145 overall, Schalk sits in 13th place individually, 14 strokes behind leader Rose Zhang of Southern California, who has gone 66-65.
Murray and Hillary (each at 147) share 21st place in the 68-player field and Lehigh (151) is in 36th place.
Both team and individual play will conclude on Thursday.
Colorado will host the Girls Junior America’s Cup next year, with Hiwan Golf Club in Evergreen doing the honors.
7. Colorado 225-212–437
13. Hailey Schalk of Erie 71-74–145
21. Jaclyn Murray of Grand Junction 79-68–147
21. Charlotte Hillary of Englewood 75-72–147
36. Lauren Lehigh of Loveland 79-72–151
For complete results, CLICK HERE.
