Van Paris holds slim lead at AJGA Simplify Boys Championship

Jackson Van Paris of Pinehurst, N.C., has the lead after the second round of the AJGA Simplify Boys Championship at Carlton Woods. Van Paris, 15, posted a 7-under-par 137.

Van Paris had a bogey-free round complete with four birdies. Heading into the final round, he holds a one-stroke lead over Gordon Sargent of Birmingham, Ala., William Moll of Houston, and Canon Claycomb of Bowling Green, Ky.

“Today I putted the ball really well,” Van Paris said. “Anytime I made a mishap with my irons or long game I was able to get up and down and keep my momentum going.”

At No. 15 in the Rolex AJGA Rankings, the sophomore is a two-time Rolex Junior All-American and member of the 2017 AJGA Junior All-Star Team.

“I didn’t hit many shots close but I made a few putts,” Van Paris said. “All in all it was really solid. A 68 is obviously a really good score and I’m glad I put myself in a good position for tomorrow.”

Van Paris is verbally committed to Vanderbilt University and he has two AJGA wins, both coming in 2017 at the AJGA Junior All-Star at Forsgate and AJGA Junior All-Star Invitational at Reynolds Lake Oconee. He is also the youngest player to win a match in the U.S. Amateur Championship since Bobby Jones in 1916.