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Akari Hayashi was asked what it would mean to her to win today鈥檚 sa国际传媒 Junior Girls鈥� Golf Championship taking place at the meticulously manicured Cordova Bay Golf Course.
鈥淚t would be like, my life,鈥� said the tiny 12-year-old, folding her arms across her chest as if she was embracing a trophy. 鈥淚 guess it would be really important because I also want to qualify for the sa国际传媒 team. I want to win.鈥�
It would be quite a story as the Uplands Golf Club member, soon to enter Grade 8 at Selkirk Montessori school, finds herself tied for the lead with tournament favourite Michelle Kim, soon to turn 18 and who will join the University of Idaho golf program in the fall. It鈥檚 a contrast of two individuals as the petite local Hayashi, who packs some punch, will have a fan following in today鈥檚 fourth and final round, while Kim is coming off winning the sa国际传媒 Women鈥檚 Amateur crown at Duncan Meadows last week.
Kim got the best of the youngster on Thursday, erasing a four-shot deficit after recording a 1-under 72 for the 219 total. Hayashi finished at 3-over 76.
Another 12-year-old, Euna Han, also playing in the final group, shot 1-under 72. She is two shots back and can鈥檛 be discounted, especially after both Kim and Hayashi had putting woes.
鈥淚t was OK, but I had some missed shots. I鈥檒l see what I鈥檒l do [today],鈥� said Hayashi, who admitted to being nervous playing with Kim. 鈥淪he鈥檚 so good, so there is so much pressure.鈥�
The pressure showed in certain areas for both. After eight straight pars, Hayashi buckled by four-putting the ninth green for a double-bogey six. At the same time, Kim had a chance for par and she lipped her second putt out to pick up just a single stroke to close out the front side.
鈥淚 had an all right round. I鈥檓 definitely not satisfied, like I missed so many putts today. I could have been a lot under par, but putting didn鈥檛 work out for me today,鈥� said Kim, who was impressed with Hayashi鈥檚 game.
鈥淎kari played well. I can definitely see how she shot 72-71 [the first two days]. It鈥檚 because she has the ability to ball strike really well. She hits it real far compared to how small she is.鈥�
Kim got her round going with birdies on Nos. 12, 13 and 14 to grab the lead back as Hayashi double-bogeyed the par-5 14th when she hit it out of bounds (OB).
鈥淥n No. 9, I think that was just me rushing. Then OB on 14, that was just me rushing again. I should take more time,鈥� said Hayashi, who managed to get a shot back with about a 14-foot birdie putt on the par-3 17th, calming her nerves. 鈥淚 was very nervous,鈥� she said. 鈥淵ou have so much more pressure than being third or second.鈥�
As for Kim, she鈥檚 right where she wants to be and where everyone expected.
鈥淚 am satisfied that I caught up with four strokes. Four strokes is a lot,鈥� she said. 鈥淭here is still [today] and I鈥檓 excited for it.鈥�
CHIP SHOTS: Shirin Anjarwalla of Nanaimo and Abigail Rigsby of Crown Isle are in a four-way tie for 10th at 231. Megan Ratcliffe of Pheasant Glen is tied for 19th at 239 and Akari鈥檚 sister, Mirai Hayashi, is tied for 25th at 244. 鈥� At the Junior Boys鈥� championship in Osoyoos, Callum Davison of Pheasant Glen shot an 8-under 64 but wasn鈥檛 low round of the day as Jake Scarrow of Dewdney posted a course-record 63. The two are tied for second at 206, five shots back of Zaahidali Nathu of Richmond. 鈥� Victoria鈥檚 Naomi Ko, who won the sa国际传媒 Junior last year, but opted to play the Ontario Women鈥檚 Amateur, sits third after three rounds there, three shots back of leader Brittany Marchand.
