Lloyd, Todd win Arizona State Junior titles

Summer is in full swing and so are junior golfers across the country. Out in Arizona, the State Junior Golf Championship was held at TPC Scottsdale as it played host to the best junior golfers, both boys, and girls from around the state.

On the boys’ side, class of 2021 high school graduate Joseph Lloyd made light work of the Champions course at TPC Scottsdale with back-to-back 4-under 67s to secure a one-shot victory over rising high school senior Max Lyons and day one leader Anawin Pikulthong.

With four golfers within three shots of Lloyd, the pressure was on as he came down the stretch. Pikulthong slid down to a T-4 finish with an even-par round as he sat back and watch Lloyd and Lyons duel for the title. With Lloyd and Lyons tied following birdies on 17, the duo headed to the 18th tee to settle the tournament. Lloyd avoided extra holes to settle the championship with a par on No. 18 to Lyons’ bogey, securing the junior state championship.

Congratulations to the 2020 State Champions Kendall Todd and Joseph Lloyd! 🏆

Results: https://t.co/sR3xZfrLtM pic.twitter.com/tErXFASa4S

— JGAA (@JuniorGolfofAZ) June 17, 2020

On the girls’ end, rising senior Kendall Todd held off a charging recent high school graduate and Arizona signee Maya Benita for a two-stroke victory.

Benita answered Todd’s tournament-low 69 on Tuesday with a 69 of her own in the final round Wednesday. Thankful for her stellar round on the first day, Todd squandered away her 3-under first round with a 4-over front nine. Finding herself on the final nine holes, Todd rattled home four birdies to come away with a slim, but solid victory.