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Thorseth Captures AJGA Tournament Title
Rice signee wins junior event by three strokes

	Benjamin Thorseth

Aug. 8, 2008

Rice signee Benjamin Thorseth followed up a pair of one-under par 71s with an even-par final round Thursday to win the Emerson Junior Golf Classic conducted by the American Junior Golf Association at Carlton Oaks Country Club in Santee, Calif.

Thorseth had a three-round score of 214 and captured the tournament title by three strokes.

Thorseth's opening round 71 propelled him to an early tie for the tournament lead. Despite another 71 during second round play, the Richmond native entered the final round one shot back of Day Two leader Steven Kearney but Thorseth's birdie on the par-four, sixth hole allowed him to regain a lead he would never relinquish.

"That was big and I just got into my comfort zone with the lead after that," he said.

The tournament was the final career junior event for Thorseth who will be a freshman this fall at Rice.

"I came in this week hoping to win since it's my last AJGA tournament and I've never won one," Thorseth said. "I've had a few top-three finishes, but I knew this week was 54 holes of golf and I couldn't think too much about it. It's a great feeling knowing I cam out on top."

The tournament attracted a field of 75 golfers.

Thorseth's championship marked the second time in as many days that a Rice golfer captured a summer tournament event. On Wednesday, Rice junior Christopher Brown captured the Collegiate Players Tour/Sonterra Collegiate Open.

The Rice golf team will open its fall season September 8-9 at the Olympic Club Collegiate Invitational in San Francisco.