The 2017 Kentucky Boys Junior Amateur Champion wanted to join the select list of multiple-time champions of this prestigious event. Jansen Preston, a Lexington native, managed to accomplish that today at Bardstown Country Club. Preston recorded a round of 68 (-4) on Wednesday to finish with a fantastic 36-hole total of 133 (-11) to win the 2019 edition by two strokes over Luke Coyle of Campbellsville.

Preston began the round two strokes behind overnight leader Owen Stamper of Scottsville. The two traded birdies and pars over the first eight holes, but an out-of-bounds tee shot on the 9^th from Stamper led to a triple bogey and put Preston in the lead. Another out-of-bounds tee shot from Stamper on the 13^th produced a double bogey, while Preston continued to record birdies and pars to build a multi-stroke lead entering the final several holes. The highlight of the day came on the 15^th when Preston holed a 25-yard bunker shot long and right of the green for birdie that gave Preston a discernable edge. A bogey on the 16^th from Preston and a late charge from Coyle prevented Preston from playing the last hole with the title assured, but a simple birdie on the par-five finishing hole clinched the two-stroke victory for Preston.

“It feels pretty cool to win this a second time,” Preston said. “I just played my game all day and managed to get it done. The hole-out from the bunker on the 15^th was a little fortunate because I actually landed the ball too far onto the green, but it broke towards the hole at the very end, dropped in, and it was kind of the sign today was my day.”

After the Boys Overall Division concluded, the remainder of the day was unfortunately plagued by lingering thunderstorms in the area that prevented play from finishing as scheduled. Wednesday scores in the Boys 14 & Under, Boys 12 & Under and Girls 12 & Under Divisions were wiped out and each competition was concluded based off Tuesday’s scores. Consequently, Brady Smith of Simpsonville won the Boys 14 & Under Division with 70 (-2), Bardstown native Xander Tucker won the Boys 12 & Under Division with 32 (-4) and Cate Blane won the Girls 12 & Under Division with 40 (+4). Blane’s victory was determined based off a scorecard playoff that also involved Elizabethtown’s Keira Yun.

ROUND TWO NOTES

• As was the case on Tuesday, the 16^th hole was the hardest on course during Wednesday’s play, while the 18^th was once again the easiest. The 16^th played at an average score-to-par of +0.71 while the 18^th played -0.31.
• Jansen Preston will be playing golf collegiately with Vanderbilt. This fall will begin his senior year of high school, and in the fall of 2020 the two-time champion will begin playing college golf in the SEC.
• Play was suspended for the day due to the weather at 4:22 p.m. EDT. Despite an attempt to resume play at 6:20 p.m. EDT, lightning returned to the area once more which at that point prevented any chance of all players being able to finish their rounds.

The Kentucky PGA Junior Tour would like to extend its gratitude towards Bardstown Country Club and its staff for being a wonderful host site these last two days. Their cooperation and hospitality were a key part in making this tournament happen and deserve an ample amount of praise. The Tour also wants to express its appreciation to the players and families who remained patient throughout the evening while play was delayed. The patience and understanding of everybody is greatly appreciated. Congratulations to Jansen and the rest of our champions!

For final scores, click here.