VanArragon Continues to Roll, Shoots 66 to Lead Minnesota Girls' Junior PGA Championship

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  BEMIDJI, Minn. – Riding momentum from her Class AAA individual title last week at Bunker Hills, Kathryn VanArragon paced the field for the second straight week Monday by posting a 6-under 66 at Bemidji Town and Country to take the first-round lead at the 47th Minnesota Girls’ Junior PGA Championship.

VanArragon, who claimed a two-stroke victory at the championship a year ago, carded three birdies during her front nine and closed out her first 18 holes Monday by sinking three consecutive birdies late in the round.

When the tournament resumes Tuesday, VanArragon will begin the final round with a four-stroke advantage over 2021 Class AAA individual champion Reese McCauley.

McCauley rolled in a pair of birdies during her front nine to turn in 2-under and would reach 3-under with a birdie at the 168-yard, par-3 11th hole, but stumbled with back-to-back bogeys at the 13th and 14th holes.

McCauley bounced back by carding a late birdie to enter the clubhouse in second place with a 2-under 70 to sit four shots back.

Ava Hanneman posted an even par 72 Monday despite carding a double-bogey on the final hole to finish the first round in third place, while a 1-over 73 put Izzy Olson in fourth place after Monday’s opening round and she will begin the final round seven shots back.

The medalist and runner-up from this week’s event will earn spots in the national championship August 2-5 at Cog Hill and Country Club in Palos Park, Ill.

The 2022 Minnesota Girls’ Junior PGA Championship concludes Tuesday with final-round tee times beginning at 7:30 a.m. at Bemidji Town and Country.



THE 47TH MINNESOTA GIRLS’ JUNIOR PGA CHAMPIONSHIP
BEMIDJI TOWN & COUNTRY CLUB
BEMIDJI, MINN.
5,769 YARDS, PAR 72


MONDAY’S FIRST ROUND RESULTS
1. Kathryn VanArragon, Blaine, Minn., 33-33—66
2. Reese McCauley, Inver Grove Heights, Minn., 34-36—70
3. Ava Hanneman, Orono, Minn., 34-38—72
4. Izzy Olson, Lake Shore, Minn., 36-37—73
T5. Olivia Salonek, Roseville, Minn., 37-38—75
T5. Saachi Deshmukh, Plymouth, Minn., 38-37—75
T7. Avery O’Donnell, Elk River, Minn., 39-37—76
T7. Lily Vincelli, Rosemount, Minn., 40-36—76
T7. Sammy Youngquist, Eden Prairie, Minn., 37-39—76
T7. McKenna Mallow, Detroit Lakes, Minn., 38-38—76
T7. Amelia Morton, Maple Grove, Minn., 39-37—76


For complete tournament results go to: https://mnpgajr.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/mnpgajr22/event/mnpgajr2216/contest/13/leaderboard.htm