Hartsville, SC—106 competitors were welcomed to Hartsville Country Club for the 24th playing of The Players Championship. Greeted with chilly temperatures in the morning, the day would quickly warm up and scores would surge to red numbers.
Zach Phillips (Inman) posted the round of the day in the Boys 15-18 division, making five birdies on his final nine holes to post a four under 68 and take a one-shot lead into Sunday’s final round. Andrew Swanson (Bluffton) sits in solo second place after carding a three under par 69, edging out a collection of players at two under par.
After having to take almost a year off due to injury, Isabella Rawl (Lexington) has charged the leaderboard this season. Rawl came out firing in her opening round as the Clemson Women’s Golf commit carded a five-under (31) on her final nine, and would go on to post a seven-under (65) to take the lead by only one-shot over Sydney Roberts (Chesnee). Roberts, who had a career day, also carded a five-under (31) on her final nine and lead to her taking solo second place into the final round.
The Boys 13-14 age bracket will have a battle in the final round. Posting a consistent round in the early wave, Chapin’s Harrison James opened with a one-over par to take a one shot lead into the final round. James holds the lead over Greenville standouts Tip Price and Hugh Faulkner who will round out the lead pairing in their age division in what is sure to be an eventful showing.
Champions were crowned on Saturday in the Boys 10-12 and Girls 10-12 age divisions. Luke Parsons (Salley) shot five under (67), carding a final nine two under par to easily take home the champions title over second place finisher Will Ruth (Moore).
It was a tight race for the winner’s circle in the Girls 10-12 division. Ella Kate Barnett (Galivants Ferry) would capture the title after posting a seven over par – skimming Manning’s Summer Carey by one shot. Sunday’s tee times will begin at 8:30 a.m. on #1 and #10 tees. Make sure to follow the SCJGA on all social media outlets (Facebook|Twitter|Instagram) for live updates from the event!
Girls 10-12 Champion Ella Kate Barnett (right), Runner-Up Summer Carey (center), and Mia-Gloria Carles (left) 
Boys 10-12 Champion Luke Parsons 
Boys 13-14 First Round Leader Harrison James 
Boys 15-18 First Round Leader Zach Phillips 
Girls 13-18 First Round Leader Isabella Rawl
