VILLAGE OF GOLF, Fla. (June 19, 2012) -– Despite a double bogey on his finishing hole, Jimmy Stanger of Tampa, Fla., shot a 4-under-par 68 to take sole possession of the lead after the opening round of the 95th Western Junior at the Country Club of Florida on Tuesday.
"I played an all-around solid round," Stanger said. "I hit my three-wood really well, which helped me go 4 under on the par 5s. And it's always nice when you make the putts that you need to make."
Three other juniors - including the morning round leader Woody Woodward – fired 3-under-par 69s to enter Wednesday’s round tied for second. Joining Woodward in second were Dru Love, the son of the U.S. Ryder Cup captain Davis Love III, and Maxime Blandin, a native of France now living in Howey in the Hills, Fla.
Of the 155 players in the tournament, 13 players turned in rounds under par; 21 players ended up at even par 72.
The course was in perfect playing condition, and weather conditions were near ideal, with just a 10-minute shower briefly dampening the afternoon wave.
Tomorrow's forecast, however, calls for a 90 percent chance of rain.
"We still have to wait and see how the conditions will be tomorrow, but I plan on going into tomorrow's round with the same plan. I just want to hit as many fairways and greens as I can," Stanger said.
Following Wednesday’s second round, the field will be cut to the low 70 and ties heading into the championship’s final two rounds on Thursday and Friday.
