Copyright USGA/Steven GibbonsErica Shepherd holds the trophy after winning the championship match of the 2017 U.S. Girls' Junior at Boone Valley Golf Club in Augusta, Mo.Less than 24 hours after shedding tears of frustration and sadness at Missouri’s Boone Valley G.C., Erica Shepherd was crying again, only this time out of joy. The 16-year-old from Greenwood, Ind., had accomplished a lifelong golf dream by capturing the U.S. Girls’ Junior title, defeating Jennifer Chang in the 36-hole championship match, 3 and 2.
Growing up, Shepherd’s friend and golf mentor has been Leigh Anne Hardin, a former junior golf prodigy from Indiana who won the Girls’ Junior title in 1998. Shepherd’s middle name is Leigh, and the screen shot on Shepherd’s cellphone is a photo of Hardin with the Girls’ Junior trophy that has served as motivation.
“Ever since I was little, I’ve always told everyone when making my goals, this is the goal that I have to accomplish,” Shepherd said, her emotions obvious.
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Vaughn RidleyOAKVILLE, ON – JULY 29: Charley Hoffman of the United States plays his shot from the 11th tee during the third round of the RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey Golf Club on July 29, 2017 in Oakville, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)Charley Hoffman's name appearing at the top of the leader board has become a regular ritual. The four-time PGA Tour winner is enjoying one of the best seasons of his career, with two finishes inside the top 3 and 11 inside the top 25. He hasn't been able to secure that fifth victory yet though, but he's put himself in great position to do so at the RBC Canadian Open. A seven-under 65 on Saturday at Glen Abbey Golf Course outside of Toronto has given him a one-stroke lead at 17-under 199.
Hoffman, 40, began his round with three straight pars, and then turned it on at the par-3 fourth. He made a birdie there and two more at the fifth and ninth to turn in three-under 32, following it up with a four-under 33 on the home nine…