The American Junior Golf Association held its final round of the 19th Thunderbird International Junior at the Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Ariz. In what was a consistent seesaw matchup between seniors Pierceson Coody (Plano, Texas) and James Song (Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.), After three sudden death attempts, Coody shot for par, beating Song by a single stroke on Monday.

Song led for most of the tournament and most of the final round. His lead hung in the balance after taking a provisional at hole four, eventually putting him one stroke behind Coody. While he experienced some unforced errors on the green, he rallied and actually retook the lead from Coody at the tenth hole.

Coody was hot early on, tallying back-to-back birdies at the second and third hole. He maintained a one-stroke lead and was tied with senior Jackson Suber for a while before a missed opportunity to birdie at hole 10 led to Coody shooting par. As a result, he surrendered the lead to Song. 

That lead was short-lived as Coody birdied at holes 11 and 12 to retake a one-stroke lead. Suber was in the mix for awhile, accruing birdies at the 11th and 13th holes. However, a few ill-timed bogies would enable Song and Coody to distance themselves down the stretch.

The tournament came down to a few sudden-death rounds for the junior golf title. The suspense continued as Coody and Song, on separate attempts, sought redemption after getting caught in the bunkers of the 18th hole. In their final attempt, Song sent a ball into the water, giving Coody a one-stroke advantage, enabling him to win his second tournament with the American Junior Golf Association.

Quote of the day

"I told myself that I was not going to make a mental error, not now," Coody said. "I'm just happy that I was able to play so well today."

Up next

Coody, Song and Suber will all be continuing their golf careers at the college level. Coody is returning home to play for the University of Texas, Song will be playing at UC Berkeley next year and Suber will be attending the University of Mississippi.