Shepherd jumps to early Rolex Girls Junior lead with opening 65
June 11, 2019 | by American Junior Golf Association
see also: Erica Shepherd, View results for Rolex Girls Junior, SentryWorld Golf Course
Erica Shepherd is just weeks removed from winning her second USGA title alongside future Duke teammate Megan Furtney.
Editor's note: Day 2 at Briar's Creek was a wash-out, and the tournament will resume Thursday with a 36-hole day
Erica Shepherd of Greenwood, Ind., leads the Rolex Girls Junior Championship at Briar’s Creek Golf Club by three strokes after an opening round of 7-under-par 65. The recently high school graduate played a bogey-free round with seven birdies. She had a front-nine 5-under-par 31.
Shepherd is a two-time USGA champion, having partnered with future Duke teammate Megan Furtney earlier this spring to win the U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball. Shepherd, who will continue her college golf career at Duke University in the fall, has amassed a decorated junior golf career in general. In addition to the Four-Ball, the 18-year-old has won two AJGA career events and the 2017 U.S. Girls’ Junior. She played on two Wyndham Cup East teams and helped the U.S. win the 2017 Ping Junior Solheim Cup.
“It felt really good. I was coming off a pretty bad finish at the Thunderbird International Junior [in May], so I had a lot of motivation to play well this week and I think it showed,” said Shepherd, making her fourth appearance at the Rolex Girls Junior Championship. “My main goal this summer is to be ready to play at Duke this fall.”
Locked in second is fellow Duke commit Sophia Bae of Norwood, N.J., at 4-under 68. The 15-year-old is competing in her second Rolex Girls Junior Championship and is seeking her first AJGA win. Bae finished T-5 last week at the Memorial Junior hosted by Sung Hyun Park.
Bae shares second with Lei (Angelina) Ye of Bradenton, Fla., and Amari Avery of Riverside, Calif., at 4-under 68. Ye, a Stanford University verbal commit, is a three-time Rolex Junior All-American. She already has one invitational title under her belt. Ye took home the 2018 Annika Invitational USA presented by Rolex.
In third in a six-way tie at 3-under-par 69: Catherine Park of Irvine, California; Jinyu Wu of (China) Bradenton, Fla.; Anne Yu of (China) Champions Gate, Fla.; Lucy Li of Redwood Shores, Calif.; Phoebe Brinker of Wilmington, Del.; Charissa Shang of Calabasas, Calif.
Erica Shepherd of Greenwood, Ind., leads the Rolex Girls Junior Championship at Briar’s Creek Golf Club by three strokes after an opening round of 7-under-par 65. The recently high school graduate played a bogey-free round with seven birdies. She had a front-nine 5-under-par 31.
Shepherd is a two-time USGA champion, having partnered with future Duke teammate Megan Furtney earlier this spring to win the U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball. Shepherd, who will continue her college golf career at Duke University in the fall, has amassed a decorated junior golf career in general. In addition to the Four-Ball, the 18-year-old has won two AJGA career events and the 2017 U.S. Girls’ Junior. She played on two Wyndham Cup East teams and helped the U.S. win the 2017 Ping Junior Solheim Cup.
“It felt really good. I was coming off a pretty bad finish at the Thunderbird International Junior [in May], so I had a lot of motivation to play well this week and I think it showed,” said Shepherd, making her fourth appearance at the Rolex Girls Junior Championship. “My main goal this summer is to be ready to play at Duke this fall.”
Locked in second is fellow Duke commit Sophia Bae of Norwood, N.J., at 4-under 68. The 15-year-old is competing in her second Rolex Girls Junior Championship and is seeking her first AJGA win. Bae finished T-5 last week at the Memorial Junior hosted by Sung Hyun Park.
Bae shares second with Lei (Angelina) Ye of Bradenton, Fla., and Amari Avery of Riverside, Calif., at 4-under 68. Ye, a Stanford University verbal commit, is a three-time Rolex Junior All-American. She already has one invitational title under her belt. Ye took home the 2018 Annika Invitational USA presented by Rolex.
In third in a six-way tie at 3-under-par 69: Catherine Park of Irvine, California; Jinyu Wu of (China) Bradenton, Fla.; Anne Yu of (China) Champions Gate, Fla.; Lucy Li of Redwood Shores, Calif.; Phoebe Brinker of Wilmington, Del.; Charissa Shang of Calabasas, Calif.
About the Rolex Girls Junior
One of the AJGA series of tournaments that require an invitation to participate. For girls ages 12-19. Format is 54 holes of stroke play. Must be AJGA member.
Most Popular Articles
FINAL RESULTS: 2026 Australian Men’s Amateur Championship
Feb 6, 2026Billy Dowling pulled away with a closing 7-under 63 to win the 2026 adidas Australian Men’s Amateur Championship at 18-under.
2026 Ben Hogan Award Watch List: 35 Names to Know This Spring
Jan 29, 2026The 2026 Ben Hogan Award watch list is out—35 college golf standouts are in the early mix for the game’s top individual honor.
Koivun powers Auburn to breakthrough Amer Ari victory
Feb 7, 2026Koivun’s 25-under week sparks Auburn’s record-setting win in Hawaii
Titleist Fitting Philosophy: The Competitive Amateur’s Fastest Path to Lower Scores
Jan 26, 2026Competitive golf is a game of small edges. Titleist’s fitting approach combines expert human insight and honest data
Early Invites Announced for the 2026 Augusta National Women’s Amateur
Jan 24, 2026A running list of the first confirmed names headed to Augusta.