Park Shoots a 65 to Lead National Championship

Golfer Jane Park of Beaumont made seven birdies Tuesday for a six-under-par 65 and a one-stroke lead after the first round of the AJGA McDonald’s Betsy Rawls Girls’ National Championship at DuPont Country Club in Wilmington, Del.

Sukjin Wuesthoff of Toms River, N.J., who is coming off a victory Saturday in the U.S. Junior Championship, had six birdies but bogeyed No. 18 to finish the round one stroke behind Park.

Paula Creamer of Pleasanton, Calif., and Tiffany Tavee of Gilbert, Ariz., who each carded a 67, are one stroke behind Wuesthoff. Amie Cochran of Torrance and Florida natives Christie Reed of Coral Springs, Jacqui Concolino of Orlando, and In-Bee Park of Eustis, each shot even-par 71 to round out the top eight.

Among Southland golfers, Jennifer Osborn of Huntington Beach shot 73 and CJ Kim of Rowland Heights, Grace Woo of Burbank and Alice Kim of Los Angeles each shot 76.

Daniel McGurk of The Woodlands, Texas, took a one-shot lead after the opening round of the AJGA HP Boys’ Junior Championship at the Westin Innisbrook Golf Resort in Palm Harbor, Fla.

McGurk shot a four-under 68 on the Island Course. Timothy Freund of Greensboro, Ga., shot a two-under 69 for the best score on the Copperhead Course.

Among golfers from the Southland, Brett Kanda of La Crescenta is tied for 11th after shooting 72. Derek Sipe of Yorba Linda, Matthew Pierce Jr. of San Juan Capistrano and Heejoo Son of Carson each shot 74.

Three teams from Southern California won championships at the 2003 Snickers U.S. Youth Soccer national championships at Germantown, Md., on Sunday.

The girls’ under-14 title was decided by penalty kicks, and the Newport Beach Slammers defeated Pennsylvania’s Delco Fusion, 4-2. In regulation, Sarah Naley’s goal in the 52nd minute for the Slammers tied the score, 1-1.

The boys’ under-16 title went to Southern California United, a team from Agoura, which beat New York’s Albertson Red Storm Clash, 2-0. Diego Barrera and Joshua Levy had goals.

Penalty kicks also decided the girls’ under-16 title, and the San Diego Surf defeated Bethesda Exel of Maryland, 5-4. The score was tied, 1-1, after regulation.