GGGA student Mai Dechathipat wins HJGT Harmony Preserve

GGGA student Mai Dechathipat is no stranger to big leads, big wins and going low.

She has a knack for that sort of thing.

Dechathipat, of Thailand and a student in the Full-Time Junior Program at the Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy, fired back-to-back 68s to win the Girls Division by 12 shots at the HJGT at Harmony Preserve, finishing the two-day event at 8-under 136 Sunday.

Between the two rounds, Dechathipat collected 12 birdies en route to her fourth win since joining the Full-Time Junior Program at the Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy.

Over the past year, Dechathipat, still just 16 years old, has fired some really low rounds.

Last spring, when she won the HJGT 54 Hole Challenge at Fleming Island, Dechathipat carded a 4-under 67 in the final round and won by five. She later followed with a 6-under 66 at the Annika Invitational to tie for eighth and two months later carded a 69 in the final round of the AJGA’s Taylormade-adidas Junior All-Star at Chateau Elan to finish second. Also last fall, when Dechathipat won the IMG Eagle Creek by five, finishing at 7 under par, she fired a 6-under 67 in the first round.

Over in the Boys Division, GGGA student Evaristo Rubio was also vying for a win of his own.

Rubio, of Mexico and also a student in the Full-Time Junior Program, took a share of the lead into Sunday after opening with an even-par 72.

On any other day, Rubio most likely would have taken home the win, following up his 72 with a 3-under 69 in the final round, only to be outdone by winner Carl Yuan’s 7-under 65 on the day. Rubio would take second by five shots, finishing at 3-under 141.

Less than an hour away, fellow GGGA students Camilo Mexsen, Manuel Torres and Luis Garza were going after the title at the Optimist International Tournament of Champions at ChampionsGate Golf Club.

Mexsen would go on to take home his fifth win as a GGGA student, finishing at 5-under 139 while Torres tied for sixth at +2 and Garza tied for 10th at +4.

About GGGA

The Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy, located near Orlando, FL in Howey in the Hills, is the world’s premier junior golf academy. In addition to the junior golf program, GGGA also features summer golf camps, winter golf camps and programs, training and golf lessons for amateurs, professionals and adults.

The Academy is committed to excellence in every facet of golf, fitness, personal development and academics, evident through exclusive relationships with Montverde Academy, an acclaimed private college preparatory school, and the American Junior Golf Association.

Gary Gilchrist, founder of the Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy, has been recognized as a Golf Magazine Top 100 Teacher 2013-2014 and as a Golf Digest Top 50 Teacher in America 2011-2012 and 2013-2014. Gilchrist teaches many of the games top juniors and pros at the Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy, of which include: Morgan Hoffmann, Shanshan Feng, Sandra Gal and many more.

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