Maddie Szeryk, 17, of Allen, Texas, remains in complete control of the Royale Cup Canadian Junior Girls Championship at Cherry Downs Golf and Country Club in Pickering, Ont.
Szeryk, the leader since early Tuesday, carded a 1-over 73 on Thursday afternoon to increase her lead over the rest of the field. Her third-round was highlighted by three birdies and leaves her 12 strokes ahead of Brooke Henderson, 15, of Smiths Falls, Ont., heading into the final round.
As the champion of the 2013 CN Future Links Ontario event earlier this season, the dual citizen of the United States and Canada knows how to win on Canadian soil. She admits she’s never held a lead quite this big before but that she’s excited for the opportunity tomorrow to take home the prestigious title in front of a lot of Canadian family who will be out to watch.
“I think I’m just going to go out and try to have fun, play the course and keep doing what I’ve been doing the last couple of days,” Szeryk said. “I didn’t putt as well as I would of liked to today, so I’m going to go work on that. A couple more of my aunts and uncles are coming out tomorrow and some of my cousins, so I’m excited.”
Trailing Szeryk is the 2013 Royale Cup Canadian Women’s Amateur Champion, Brooke Henderson, who carded the low round of the day after an even-par 72. The Team Canada member currently sits at 9-over 225 for the championship and heads into tomorrow looking to become only the second player in history to win both Royale Cup crowns in one season.
Muni He, 15, of Pitt Meadows, B.C., and Alyssa Getty, 16, of Leamington, Ont., currently sit in a tie for third at 13-over 229 for the tournament. Getty birdied her final hole of the day to card a 2-over 74, while He posted a third round 6-over 78.
Team Canada Development Squad member, Taylor Kim, 18, of Surrey, B.C., rounds out the top-five at 14-over 230 after a 7-over 79 in her third round.
In addition, Henderson regained the lead on Thursday in the Juvenile division title battle. She currently leads by four strokes over He and Getty.