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Defending champion Isagawa returns to site of thrilling 2010 finish

By The PGA of America
Published on
Defending champion Isagawa returns to site of thrilling 2010 finish

It wasn’t easy, but Cassy Isagawa got it done. The recent high school graduate, who hails from Wailuku, Hawaii, defeated Ginger Howard of Bradenton, Fla., on the third playoff hole to capture the 2010 girls' division title in thrilling fashion.

“Last year’s tournament was the most intense feeling I have ever had on a golf course and was such an incredible playoff with Ginger [Howard],” said Isagawa, who has committed to play for the University of Oregon in the fall. “I missed a few putts down the stretch and one on the second playoff hole to win, but I didn’t give up and it was so satisfying to win.”

Isagawa will look to defend her title against an elite field of juniors from across the country, who will play for the second consecutive year at Sycamore Hills Golf Club in Fort Wayne, Ind.

“I come from a small town in Hawaii and I was praying just to make the cut last year,” said Isagawa. “I know that this year’s field will be just as strong if not stronger than last year, but I know now that I can play with the best players in the country.”

Isagawa will head the 156-player field for the72-hole Junior PGA Championship.

The Championship will feature a 54-hole cut to the low 30 boys and 30 girls, including ties, following the third round of play on August 4.

“We are excited the 36th Junior PGA Championship returns to the site of what was an exciting Championship in 2010,” said PGA of America President Allen Wronowski. “The Junior PGA Championship is one of our banner Championships, which showcases the next generation of great players, many of whom will be ambassadors in growing the game.”

The boys’ field will be headlined by Cody Proveaux of Leesville, S.C., Gavin Hall of Pittsford, N.Y., and Robby Shelton of Wilmer, Ala., ranked 4th, 6th and 10th, respectively in Golfweek’s Junior Rankings.

Beau Hossler of Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., who recently competed in the U.S. Open, and Brad Dalke, who recently won the Thunderbird Invitational, have also committed to play.

In the girls’ division, top-ranked Thailand native Moriya Jutanugarn and sister Ariya, who is ranked second by Golfweek, lead a strong group of players who will look to grab their first Patty Berg Trophy.

Emma Talley of Princeton, Ky., a member of the victorious 2010 U.S. Junior Ryder Cup team, has also committed to play.

Talley, who is currently ranked 12th in the latest Golfweek Junior Rankings, tallied 2 ½  points for the U.S. team, who defeated Europe by a narrow 13 ½ to 10 ½ margin at Gleneagles Resort in Scotland.

Golf Channel will present a one-hour highlight show of the Junior PGA Championship, with the first airing on Thurs., Sept. 8 at 7:00 p.m. ET.

About The PGA of America
Celebrating its 95th year, The PGA of America has maintained a twofold mission of its founders: to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf. By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, the PGA enables its professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the multi-billion golf industry.

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