Forced to make decisive approach shots, the test of narrow fairways and bulkhead bunkers confronted contestants to think strategically around the course.
Unfortunately, conditions on day two proved to be not only a test for players, but also the course. The final round of the Sea Pines Junior Heritage was canceled due to weather and champions were crowned based on round one of competition.
Taking the title back to Texas, Jansen Smith, a Texas Tech commit, from San Angelo joined the elite names of past champions. Smith’s standout opening round provided just the edge needed to capture the title over Grayson Wotnosky (E) from Wake Forest, North Carolina.
On Saturday Smith cared a 3-under 69 with four birdies and just on bogey. The birdies for Smith fell on Nos. 4, 5, 13 and 14.
Siyan Chen from Howey in the Hills, Florida, shot an opening round of 3-under 69 and captured her first win of the year after posting the low round Saturday. Sharing second place, with a score of three-over par were Auston Kim (St. Augustine, FL) and Katharina Hesse (Germany).
During the opening round Chen registered six bogeys against three birdies. Her best stretch of golf came on the second nine where she carded four birdies in a seven hole stretch from Nos. 11-17.