Connor McNeely surged to the top Friday at the Indiana Golf Association’s Junior PGA Championship, which finished up Friday at Rock Hollow Golf Club in Peru.
The recent Guerin Catholic graduate was in fifth place after Thursday’s first round, but went on a tear to begin his second round, draining five birdies in his first nine holes. McNeely then made another birdie on the 11th hole, and when his round was over, he was tied for the lead with Westfield’s Jake Cesare.
McNeely won the tournament in a playoff, giving him the Junior PGA trophy. He finished with a total score of 141, carding a two-under par 70 for his second round. Cesare had a solid second round as well, going even with a 72 and making five birdies along the way.
Two players with Hamilton County ties finished tied for third. Cole Starnes, an incoming senior at Hamilton Southeastern, eagled hole No. 3 and made two additional birdies during his second round. He finished with a total score of 144.
Leo Wessel, an incoming junior at Guerin Catholic, also totaled a 144 over his two rounds. He had three birdies on Friday.
Two more Hamilton County players finished in the top 10. Incoming Carmel senior Joseph Armfield tied for sixth with a 146, draining three birdies in each round for a total of six. Will Harvey, an incoming sophomore at Westfield, tied for eighth by scoring 147. Harvey eagled hole No. 7 during the second round and had five birdies during the tournament (two in the first round, three in the second round).
Here is a complete list of Hamilton County results.
1. Connor McNeely, Noblesville 71-70=141, won in playoff, 2. Jake Cesare, Westfield 69-72=141, T3. Cole Starnes, Fishers 71-73=144; Leo Wessel, Indianapolis (Guerin Catholic) 69-75=144, T6. Joseph Armfield, Carmel 74-72=146, T8. Will Harvey, Westfield 77-70=147, T13. Alec Cesare, Westfield 69-80=149, T21. Lane Zedrick, Fishers 77-75=152, T26. Kai Warner, Fishers 74-79=153, T30. Mattingly Upchurch, Fishers 79-75=154, T36. Vijeet Akala, Fishers 78-79=157; Tyler Marcinko, Fishers 76-81=157; Owen Sander, Carmel 75-82=157, T43. Matthew Shull, Westfield 80-79=159, T46. Connor Hendrick, Carmel 78-82=160, T3. Riley Reese, Carmel 77-85=162, T60. Kent Fujita, Carmel 80-84=164, T63. Jackson McCollough, Carmel 76-89=165, T69. Kaden Mendler, Carmel 80-89=169; Owen Nielsen, Carmel 79-90=169, 72. William Barnes, Noblesville 78-92=170.