DeForest and Thompson Headline Winners

WESTFIELD CENTER, Ohio -- Alexis Thompson of Coral Springs, Fla., a 12-year-old with a game of a veteran, became the youngest champion in the history of the Westfield Junior PGA Championship Saturday, defeating Kimberly Kim, the reigning U.S. Women's Amateur Champion, in an epic battle on the back nine of Westfield Group Country Club.

Thompson birdied four of five holes from the 12th through 16th holes to turn an early deficit to Kim into a one-stroke victory. She finished with a 2-under-par 69 and a 72-hole total of 1-under-par 283. Kim closed with a 70, and Cassandra Blaney of Davenport, Fla., was two strokes back in third at 286 after a 71.

"I am absolutely thrilled to win this tournament, I love it here," said Thompson, who also was the youngest U.S. Women's Open participant in history earlier this month. "I have been knocking it close for a long time now and finally making the putts in the final two rounds is what I have been waiting for all week."

Chris DeForest of Cottekill, N.Y., ran away with the boys' title, finishing with a 74 for a 10-under-par 274 total and a six-stroke margin over Mark Johnson of Tulsa, Okla.

DeForest, who fell just three strokes short of the 72-hole record of 271 set by Pat Perez in 1993, eliminated any doubt about his impending victory with a solid round under stiff, 20-mph gusts throughout the day. His previous best finish in four previous appearances was a tie for 10th in the 2004 Championship.

"I felt amazing coming down the fairway on the last hole," said DeForest, a 2004 Junior Ryder Cup team member. "It took me a whole bunch of tries to finally win this tournament but I really felt prepared coming into the Championship this year."

Kim was unable to hold off Thompson's furious comeback but played well all week and was happy with her overall performance.

"Alexis really earned a lot of respect from the girls out here," said Kim, 15. "I feel really good about my game even though I was not able to win this week. I am looking forward to possibly competing next year on the Junior Ryder Cup team and representing the United States."

Alexis' father, Scott Thompson, doesn't like to be in the limelight when his child is playing, but he was a proud father after the last putt dropped.

"I like to stay in the background and let Alexis play her game," said the Coral Springs resident. "She learns a little bit more each tournament and this is a great experience for her to have."

In the boys' division, Johnson wrapped up his first Junior PGA Championship in second place overall and posted his first over-par score since the first round. Despite not winning the Championship, he'll look to build on this performance in college while playing on the Oklahoma State University golf team in the fall.

"I am headed off to college in the fall and Chris (DeForest) is headed to Illinois, so I am guessing I will be seeing him often, so this was a good experience for me," said Johnson. "Chris played real well today, and except for a double on 15, he was pretty much in charge."

Luke Guthrie of Quincy, Ill., finished third after firing a final-round even-par 71.

Louisiana native Austin Gutgsell of Mandeville tied for the low round of the tournament after carding a 6-under 65 in the final round of the Championship.

Three of the top finishers from the Championship earned automatic berths into the Harder German Junior Masters, Aug. 6-9, at Heddesheim Golf Club in Gut Neuzenhof, Germany.

DeForest, Guthrie and John Popeck of Washington, Pa., will represent the United States at this prestigious tournament that plays host to participants from more then 24 countries. Allie White of Lancaster, Ohio; Katie Detlefsen of Eagan, Minn.; and third-place finisher Cassandra Blaney will represent the girls' division at the Championship.

The South Course played an average of 72.84 in the final round, the lowest of the Championship.

The Westfield Junior PGA Championship, which has traditionally produced stellar golf performances for more than three decades, brought together the best junior golfers to compete for the Jack Nicklaus Trophy in the boys' division and the Patty Berg Trophy in the girls' division.

Since 1976, the Championship has been a stepping stone for competitors to either collegiate or Tour professional careers. The list of past Champions includes some of the most prominent current Tour professionals: Billy Andrade (1981), Billy Mayfair (1982), 2001 PGA Champion

David Toms (1984), Sean O'Hair (1998), reigning U.S. Women's Open Champion Cristie Kerr (1995), Trevor Immelman (1996), Grace Park (1996), Aree Song (1999, 2000), In-Bee Park (2001, '02) and Angela Park (2004).

Since 2001, Westfield Group Country Club, owned by title sponsor Westfield Insurance, has been home to the Westfield Junior PGA Championship. The site features the most Tour-like experience in junior golf for players and attendees.

Golf Channel will present a highlight show of the Westfield Junior PGA Championship at a date to be determined.

The PGA of America is the world's largest working sports organization, comprised of 28,000 men and women golf Professionals who are the recognized experts in growing, teaching and managing the game of golf, while serving millions of people throughout its 41 PGA Sections nationwide. Since its founding in 1916, The PGA of America has enhanced its leadership position in a $62 billion-a-year industry by growing the game of golf through its premier spectator events, world-class education and training programs, significant philanthropic outreach initiatives and award-winning golf promotions. Today's PGA Professional is the public's link to the game, serving an essential role in the operation of golf facilities throughout the country.